Breaking Dawn - Stephenie Meyer [122]
Downstairs, someone was watching a ball game. The Mariners were winning by two runs.
Its my turn, I heard Rosalie snap at someone, and there was a low snarl in response.
Hey, now, Emmett cautioned.
Someone hissed.
I listened for more, but there was nothing but the game. Baseball was not interesting enough to distract me from the pain, so I listened to Edwards breathing again, counting the seconds.
Twenty-one thousand, nine hundred seventeen and a half seconds later, the pain changed.
On the good-news side of things, it started to fade from my fingertips and toes. Fading slowly, but at least it was doing something new. This had to be it. The pain was on its way out
And then the bad news. The fire in my throat wasnt the same as before. I wasnt only on fire, but I was now parched, too. Dry as bone. So thirsty. Burning fire, and burning thirst
Also bad news: The fire inside my heart got hotter.
How was that possible?
My heartbeat, already too fast, picked up-the fire drove its rhythm to a new frantic pace.
Carlisle, Edward called. His voice was low but clear. I knew that Carlisle would hear it, if he were in or near the house.
The fire retreated from my palms, leaving them blissfully pain-free and cool. But it retreated to my heart, which blazed hot as the sun and beat at a furious new speed.
Carlisle entered the room, Alice at his side. Their footsteps were so distinct, I could even tell that Carlisle was on the right, and a foot ahead of Alice.
Listen, Edward told them.
The loudest sound in the room was my frenzied heart, pounding to the rhythm of the fire.
Ah, Carlisle said. Its almost over.
My relief at his words was overshadowed by the excruciating pain in my heart.
My wrists were free, though, and my ankles. The fire was totally extinguished there.
Soon, Alice agreed eagerly. Ill get the others. Should I have Rosalie ?
Yes-keep the baby away.
What? No. No! What did he mean, keep my baby away? What was he thinking?
My fingers twitched-the irritation breaking through my perfect façade. The room went silent besides the jack- hammering of my heart as they all stopped breathing for a second in response.
A hand squeezed my wayward fingers. Bella? Bella, love?
Could I answer him without screaming? I considered that for a moment, and then the fire ripped hotter still through my chest, draining in from my elbows and knees. Better not to chance it.
Ill bring them right up, Alice said, an urgent edge to her tone, and I heard the swish of wind as she darted away.
And then-oh!
My heart took off, beating like helicopter blades, the sound almost a single sustained note; it felt like it would grind through my ribs. The fire flared up in the center of my chest, sucking the last remnants of the flames from the rest of my body to fuel the most scorching blaze yet. The pain was enough to stun me, to break through my iron grip on the stake. My back arched, bowed as if the fire was dragging me upward by my heart.
I allowed no other piece of my body to break rank as my torso slumped back to the table.
It became a battle inside me-my sprinting heart racing against the attacking fire. Both were losing. The fire was doomed, having consumed everything that was combustible; my heart galloped toward its last beat.
The fire constricted, concentrating inside that one remaining human organ with a final, unbearable surge. The surge was answered by a deep, hollow-sounding thud. My heart stuttered twice, and then thudded quietly again just once more.
There was no sound. No breathing. Not even mine.
For a moment, the absence of pain was all I could comprehend.
And then I opened my eyes and gazed above me in wonder.
* * *
20. NEW
Everything was so clear.
Sharp. Defined.
The brilliant light overhead was still blinding-bright, and yet I could plainly see the glowing strands of the filaments inside