4 breaking dawn破晓-第66部分

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little　bit。　She　was　calmer　with　Jacob　close。I　felt　a　tiny　bit　better；　too。　As　long　Jacob　was　with　Renesmee；　
she　would　be　all　right。　

Without　risking　a　glance　behind；　Edward　reached　back　to　me。　I　stretched　my　arm　forward　so　that　I　
could　grip　his　hand。　He　squeezed　my　fingers。　

Another　minute　ticked　by；　and　I　found　myself　straining　to　hear　some　sound　of　approach。　

And　then　Edward　stiffened　and　hissed　low　between　his　clenched　teeth。　His　eyes　focused　on　the　forest　
due　north　of　where　we　stood。　

We　stared　where　he　did；　and　waited　as　the　last　seconds　passed。　

36。　BLOODLUST　

They　came　with　pageantry；　with　a　kind　of　beauty。　

They　came　in　a　rigid；　formal　formation。　They　moved　together；　but　it　was　not　a　march；　they　flowed　in　
perfect　synchronicity　from　the　trees—a　dark；　unbroken　shape　that　seemed　to　hover　a　few　inches　above　
the　white　snow；　so　smooth　was　the　advance。　

The　outer　perimeter　was　gray；　the　color　darkened　with　each　line　of　bodies　until　the　heart　of　the　formation　
was　deepest　black。　Every　face　was　cowled；　shadowed。　The　faint　brushing　sound　of　their　feet　was　so　
regular　it　was　like　music；　a　plicated　beat　that　never　faltered。　

At　some　sign　I　did　not　see—or　perhaps　there　was　no　sign；　only　millennia　of　practice—the　configuration　
folded　outward。　The　motion　was　too　stiff；　too　square　to　resemble　the　opening　of　a　flower；　though　the　
color　suggested　that；　it　was　the　opening　of　a　fan；　graceful　but　very　angular。　The　graycloaked　figures　
spread　to　the　flanks　while　the　darker　forms　surged　precisely　forward　in　the　center；　each　movement　
closely　controlled。　

Their　progress　was　slow　but　deliberate；　with　no　hurry；　no　tension；　no　anxiety。　It　was　the　pace　of　the　



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invincible。　

This　was　almost　my　old　nightmare。　The　only　thing　lacking　was　the　gloating　desire　I'd　seen　on　the　faces　in　
my　dream—the　smiles　of　vindictive　joy。　Thus　far；　the　Volturi　were　too　disciplined　to　show　any　emotion　at　
all。　They　also　showed　no　surprise　or　dismay　at　the　collection　of　vampires　that　waited　for　them　here—a　
collection　that　looked　suddenly　disorganized　and　unprepared　in　parison。　They　showed　no　surprise　at　
the　giant　wolf　that　stood　in　our　midst。　

I　couldn't　help　counting。　There　were　thirtytwo　of　them。　Even　if　you　did　not　count　the　two　drifting；　
waifish　blackcloaked　figures　in　the　very　back；　who　I　took　to　be　the　wives—their　protected　position　
suggesting　that　they　would　not　be　involved　in　the　attack—we　were　still　outnumbered。　There　were　just　
nieen　of　us　who　would　fight；　and　then　seven　more　to　watch　as　we　were　destroyed。　Even　counting　the　
ten　wolves；　they　had　us。　

〃The　redcoats　are　ing；　the　redcoats　are　ing；〃　Garrett　muttered　mysteriously　to　himself　and　then　
chuckled　once。　He　slid　one　step　closer　to　Kate。　

〃They　did　e；〃　Vladimir　whispered　to　Stefan。　

'The　wives；〃　Stefan　hissed　back。　'The　entire　guard。　All　of　them　together。　It's　well　we　didn't　try　Volterra。〃　

And　then；　as　if　their　numbers　were　not　enough；　while　the　Volturi　slowly　and　majestically　advanced；　more　
vampires　began　entering　the　clearing　behind　them。　

The　faces　in　this　seemingly　endless　influx　of　vampires　were　the　antithesis　to　the　Volturi's　expressionless　
discipline—they　wore　a　kaleidoscope　of　emotions。　At　first　there　was　the　shock　and　even　some　anxiety　as　
they　saw　the　unexpected　force　awaiting　them。　But　that　concern　passed　quickly；　they　were　secure　in　their　
overwhelming　numbers；　secure　in　their　position　behind　the　unstoppable　Volturi　force。　Their　features　
returned　to　the　expression　they'd　worn　before　we'd　surprised　them。　

It　was　easy　enough　to　understand　their　mindset—the　faces　were　that　explicit。　This　was　an　angry　mob；　
whipped　to　a　frenzy　and　slavering　for　justice。　I　did　not　fully　realize　the　vampire　world's　feeling　toward　the　
immortal　children　before　I　read　these　faces。　

It　was　clear　that　this　motley；　disorganized　horde—more　than　forty　vampires　altogether—was　the　
Volturi's　own　kind　of　witness。　When　we　were　dead；　they　would　spread　the　word　that　the　criminals　had　
been　eradicated；　that　the　Volturi　had　acted　with　nothing　but　impartiality。　Most　looked　like　they　hoped　for　
more　than　just　an　opportunity　to　witness—they　wanted　to　help　tear　and　burn。　

We　didn't　have　a　prayer。　Even　if　we　could　somehow　neutralize　the　Volturi's　advantages；　they　could　still　
bury　us　in　bodies。　Even　if　we　killed　Demetri；　Jacob　would　not　be　able　to　outrun　this。　

I　could　feel　it　as　the　same　prehension　sunk　in　around　me。　Despair　weighted　the　air；　pushing　me　
down　with　more　pressure　than　before。　

One　vampire　in　the　opposing　force　did　not　seem　to　belong　to　either　party；　I　recognized　Irina　as　she　
hesitated　in　between　the　two　panies；　her　expression　unique　among　the　others。　Irina's　horrified　gaze　
was　locked　on　Tanya's　position　in　the　front　line。　Edward　snarled；　a　very　low　but　fervent　sound。　

〃Alistairwas　right；〃　he　murmured　to　Carlisle。　




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I　watched　Carlisle　glance　at　Edward　questioningly。　

〃Alistair　was　right？〃　Tanya　whispered。　

'They—Caius　and　Aro—e　to　destroy　and　acquire；〃　Edward　breathed　almost　silently　back；　only　our　
side　could　hear。　〃They　have　many　layers　of　strategy　already　in　place。　If　Irina's　accusation　had　somehow　
proven　to　be　false；　they　were　mitted　to　find　another　reason　to　take　offense。　But　they　can　see　
Renesmee　now；　so　they　are　perfectly　sanguine　about　their　course。　We　could　still　attempt　to　defend　
against　their　other　contrived　charges；　but　first　they　have　to　stop；　to　hear　the　truth　about　Renesmee。〃　Then；　
even　lower。　〃Which　they　have　no　intention　of　doing。〃　

Jacob　gave　a　strange　little　huff。　

And　then；　unexpectedly；　two　seconds　later；　the　procession　did　halt。　The　low　music　of　perfectly　
synchronized　

movements　turned　to　silence。　The　flawless　discipline　remained　unbroken；　the　Volturi　froze　into　absolute　
stillness　as　one。　They　stood　about　a　hundred　yards　away　from　us。　

Behind　me；　to　the　sides；　I　heard　the　beating　of　large　hearts；　closer　than　before。　I　risked　glances　to　the　left　
and　the　right　from　the　corners　of　my　eyes　to　see　what　had　stopped　the　Volturi　advance。　

The　wolves　had　joined　us。　

On　either　side　of　our　uneven　line；　the　wolves　branched　out　in　long；　bordering　arms。　I　only　spared　a　
fraction　of　a　second　to　note　that　there　were　more　than　ten　wolves；　to　recognize　the　wolves　I　knew　and　
the　ones　I'd　never　seen　before。　There　were　sixteen　of　them　spaced　evenly　around　us—seventeen　total；　
counting　Jacob。　It　was　clear　from　their　heights　and　oversized　paws　that　the　newers　all　were　very；　
very　young。　I　supposed　I　should　have　foreseen　this。　With　so　many　vampires　encamped　in　the　
neighborhood；　a　werewolf　population　explosion　was　inevitable。　

More　children　dying。　I　wondered　why　Sam　had　allowed　this；　and　then　I　realized　he　had　no　other　choice。　
If　any　of　the　wolves　stood　with　us；　the　Volturi　would　be　sure　to　search　out　the　rest。　They　had　gambled　
their　entire　species　on　this　stand。　

And　we　were　going　to　lose。　

Abruptly；　I　was　furious。　Beyond　furious；　I　was　murderously　enraged。　My　hopeless　despair　vanished　
entirely。　A　faint　reddish　glow　highlighted　the　dark　figures　in　front　of　me；　and　all　I　wanted　in　that　moment　
was　the　chance　to　sink　my　teeth　into　them；　to　rip　their　limbs　from　their　bodies　and　pile　them　for　burning。　I　
was　so　maddened　I　could　have　danced　around　the　pyre　where　they　roasted　alive；　I　would　have　laughed　
while　their　ashes　smoldered。　My　lips　curved　back　automatically；　and　a　low；　fierce　snarl　tore　up　my　throat　
from　the　pit　of　my　stomach。　I　realized　the　corners　of　my　mouth　were　turned　up　in　a　smile。　

Beside　me；　Zafrina　and　Senna　echoed　my　hushed　growl。　Edward　squeezed　the　hand　he　still　held；　
cautioning　me。　

The　shadowed　Volturi　faces　were　still　expressionless　for　the　most　part。　Only　two　sets　of　eyes　betrayed　
any　emotion　at　all。　In　the　very　center；　touching　hands；　Aro　and　Caius　had　paused　to　evaluate；　and　the　
entire　guard　had　paused　with　them；　waiting　for　the　order　to　kill。　The　two　did　not　look　at　each　other；　but　it　
was　obvious　that　they　were　municating。　Marcus；　though　touching　Aro's　other　hand；　did　not　seem　part　



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of　the　conversation。　His　expression　was　not　as　mindless　as　the　guards'；　but　it　was　nearly　as　blank。　Like　
the　one　other　time　I'd　seen　him；　he　appeared　to　be　utterly　bored。　

The　bodies　of　the　VolturFs　witnesses　leaned　toward　us；　their　eyes　fixed　furiously　on　Renesmee　and　me；　
but　they　stayed　near　the　fringe　of　the　forest；　leaving　a　wide　berth　between　themselves　and　the　Volturi　
soldiers。　Only　Irina　hovered　close　behind　the　Volturi；　just　a　few　paces　away　from　the　ancient　females　
—both　fairhaired　with　powdery　skin　and　filmed　eyes—and　their　two　massive　bodyguards。　

There　was　a　woman　in　one　of　the　darker　gray　cloaks　just　behind　Aro。　I　couldn't　be　sure；　but　it　looked　
like　she　might　actually　be　touching　his　back。　Was　this　the　other　shield；　Renata？　I　wondered；　as　Eleazar　
had；　if　she　would　be　able　to　repel　me。　

But　I　would　not　waste　my　life　trying　to　get　to　Caius　or　Aro。　I　had　more　vital　targets。　

I　searched　the　line　for　them　now　and　had　no　difficulty　picking　out　the　two　petite；　deep　gray　cloaks　near　
the　heart　of　the　arrangement。　Alec　and　Jane；　easily　the　smallest　members　of　the　guard；　stood　just　to　
Marcus's　side；　flanked　by　Demetri　on　the　other。　Their　lovely　faces　were　smooth；　giving　nothing　away；　
they　wore　the　darkest　cloaks　beside　the　pure　black　of　the　ancients。　The　witch　twins；　Vladimir　had　called　
them。　Their　powers　were　the　cornerstone　of　the　Volturi　offensive。　The　jewels　in　Aro's　collection。　

My　muscles　flexed；　and　venom　welled　in　my　mouth。　

Aro's　and　Caius's　clouded　red　eyes　flickered　across　our　line。　I　read　disappointment　in　Aro's　face　as　his　
gaze　roved　over　our　faces　again　and　again；　looking　for　one　that　was　missing。　Chagrin　tightened　his　lips。　

In　that　moment；　I　was　nothing　but　grateful　that　Alice　had　run。　

As　the　pause　lengthened；　I　heard　Edward's　breath　speed。　

〃Edward？〃　Carlisle　asked；　low　and　anxious。　

'They're　not　sure　how　to　proceed。　They're　weighing　options；　choosing　key　targets—me；　of　course；　you；　
Eleazar；　Tanya。　Marcus　is　reading　the　strength　of　our　ties　to　each　other；　looking　for　weak　points。　The　
Romanians'　presence　irritates　them。　They're　worried　about　the　faces　they　don't　recognize—Zafrina　and　
Senna　in　particular—and　the　wolves；　naturally。　They've　never　been　outnumbered　before。　That's　what　
stopped　them。〃　

〃Outnumbered？〃　Tanya　whispered　incredulously。　

〃They　don't　count　their　witnesses；〃　Edward　breathed。　〃They　are　nonentities；　meaningless　to　the　guard。　
Aro　just　enjoys　an　audience。〃　

〃Should　I　speak？〃　Carlisle　asked。　

Edward　hesitated；　then　nodded。　〃This　is　the　only　chance　you'll　get。〃　

Carlisle　squared　his　shoulders　and　paced　several　steps　ahead　of　our　defensive　line。　I　hated　to　see　him　
alone；　unprotected。　

He　spread　his　arms；　holding　his　palms　up　as　if　in　greeting。　〃Aro；　my　old　friend。　It's　been　centuries。〃　




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The　white　clearing　was　dead　silent　for　a　long　moment。　I　could　feel　the　tension　rolling　off　Edward　as　he　
listened　to　Aro's　assessment　of　Carlisle's　words。　The　strain　mounted　as　the　seconds　ticked　by。　

And　then　Aro　stepped　forward　out　of　the　center　of　the　Volturi　formation。　The　shield；　Renata；　moved　
with　him　as　if　the　tips　of　her　fingers　were　sewn　to　his　robe。　For　the　first　time；　the　Volturi　ranks　reacted。　A　
muttered　grumble　rolled　through　the　line；　eyebrows　lowered　into　scowls；　lips　curled　back　from　teeth。　A　
few　of　the　guard　leaned　forward　into　a　crouch。　

Aro　held　one　hand　up　toward　them。　〃Peace。〃　

He　walked　just　a　few　paces　more；　then　cocked　his　head　to　one　side。　His　milky　eyes　glinted　with　
curiosity。　

〃Fair　words；　Carlisle；〃　he　breathed　in　his　thin；　wispy　voice。　〃They　seem　out　of　place；　considering　the　
army　you've　assembled　to　kill　me；　and　to　kill　my　dear　ones。〃　

Carlisle　shook　his　head　and　stretched　his　right　hand　forward　as　if　there　were　not　still　almost　a　hundred　
yards　

between　them。　〃You　have　but　to　touch　my　hand　to　know　that　was　never　my　intent。〃　

Aro's　shrewd　eyes　narrowed。　〃But　how　can　your　intent　possibly　matter；　dear　Carlisle；　in　the　face　of　what　
you　have　done？〃　He　frowned；　and　a　shadow　of　sadness　crossed　his　features—whether　it　was　genuine　or　
not；　I　could　not　tell。　

〃I　have　not　mitted　the　crime　you　are　here　to　punish　me　for。〃　

〃Then　step　aside　and　let　us　punish　those　responsible。　Truly；　Carlisle；　nothing　would　please　me　more　than　
to　preserve　your　life　today。〃　

〃No　one　has　broken　the　law；　Aro。　Let　me　explain。〃　Again；　Carlisle　offered　his　hand。　

Before　Aro　could　answer；　Caius　drifted　swiftly　forward　to　Aro's　side。　

〃So　many　pointless　rules；　so　many　unnecessary　laws　you　create　for　yourself；　Carlisle；〃　the　whitehaired　
ancient　hissed。　〃How　is　it　possible　that　you　defend　the　breaking　of　one　that　truly　matters？〃　

〃The　law　is　not　broken。　If　you　would　listen—〃　

〃We　see　the　child；　Carlisle；〃　Caius　snarled。　〃Do　not　treat　us　as　fools。〃　

〃She　is　not　an　immortal。　She　is　not　a　vampire。　I　can　easily　prove　this　with　just　a　few　moments—〃　

Caius　cut　him　off。　〃If　she　is　not　one　of　the　forbidden；　then　why　have　you　massed　a　battalion　to　protect　
her？〃　

〃Witnesses；　Caius；　just　as　you　have　brought。〃　Carlisle　gestured　to　the　angry　horde　at　the　edge　of　the　
woods；　some　of　them　growled　in　response。　〃Any　one　of　these　friends　can　tell　you　the　truth　about　the　
child。　Or　you　could　just　look　at　her；　Caius。　See　the　flush　of　human　blood　in　her　cheeks。〃　

〃Artifice！〃　Caius　snapped。　〃Where　is　the　informer？　Let　her　e　forward！〃　He　craned　his　neck　around　



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until　he　spotted　Irina　lingering　behind　the　wives。　〃You！　e！〃　

Irina　stared　at　him　unprehendingly；　her　face　like　that　of　someone　who　has　not　entirely　awakened　
from　a　hideous　nightmare。　Impatiently；　Caius　snapped　his　fingers。　One　of　the　wives'　huge　bodyguards　
moved　to　Irina's　side　and　prodded　her　roughly　in　the　back。　Irina　blinked　twice　and　then　walked　slowly　
toward　Caius　in　a　daze。　She　stopped　several　yards　short；　her　eyes　still　on　her　sisters。　

Caius　closed　the　distance　between　them　and　slapped　her　across　the　face。　

It　couldn't　have　hurt；　but　there　was　something　terribly　degrading　about　the　action。　It　was　like　watching　
someone　kick　a　dog。　Tanya　and　Kate　hissed　in　synchronization。　

Irina's　body　went　rigid　and　her　eyes　finally　focused　on　Caius。　He　pointed　one　clawed　finger　at　
Renesmee；　where　she　clung　to　my　back；　her　fingers　still　tangled　in　Jacob's　fur。　Caius　turned　entirely　red　in　
my　furious　view。　A　growl　rumbled　through　Jacob's　chest。　

〃This　is　the　child　you　saw？〃　Caius　demanded。　〃The　one　that　was　obviously　more　than　human？〃　

Irina　peered　at　us；　examining　Renesmee　for　the　first　time　since　entering　the　clearing。　Her　head　tilted　to　
the　side；　confusion　crossed　her　features。　

〃Well？〃　Caius　snarled。　

〃I。。。　I'm　not　sure；〃　she　said；　her　to