Breaking Dawn - Stephenie Meyer [145]
Beyond words, I shrieked a growl at him.
Amazing, isnt she? I heard Edward murmur.
She hasnt gone for his throat even once, Carlisle agreed, sounding stunned.
Fine, you win this one, Emmett said grudgingly.
Youre going to stay away from her, I hissed up at Jacob.
I cant do that!
Through my teeth: Try. Starting now.
Its not possible. Do you remember how much you wanted me around three days ago? How hard it was to be apart from each other? Thats gone for you now, isnt it?
I glared, not sure what he was implying.
That was her, he told me. From the very beginning. We had to be together, even then.
I remembered, and then I understood; a tiny part of me was relieved to have the madness explained. But that relief somehow only made me angrier. Was he expecting that to be enough for me? That one little clarification would make me okay with this?
Run away while you still can, I threatened.
Cmon, Bells! Nessie likes me, too, he insisted.
I froze. My breathing stopped. Behind me, I heard the lack of sound that was their anxious reaction.
What did you call her?
Jacob took a step farther back, managing to look sheepish. Well, he mumbled, that name you came up with is kind of a mouthful and-
You nicknamed my daughter after the Loch Ness Monster? I screeched.
And then I lunged for his throat.
* * *
23. MEMORIES
Im so sorry, Seth. I should have been closer.
Edward was still apologizing, and I didnt think that was either fair or appropriate. After all, Edward hadnt completely and inexcusably lost control of his temper. Edward hadnt tried to rip Jacobs head off-Jacob, who wouldnt even phase to protect himself-and then accidentally broken Seths shoulder and collarbone when he jumped in between. Edward hadnt almost killed his best friend.
Not that the best friend didnt have a few things to answer for, but, obviously, nothing Jacob had done could have mitigated my behavior.
So shouldnt I have been the one apologizing? I tried again.
Seth, I-
Dont worry about it, Bella, Im totally fine, Seth said at the same time that Edward said, Bella, love, no one is judging you. Youre doing so well.
They hadnt let me finish a sentence yet.
It only made it worse that Edward was having a difficult time keeping the smile off his face. I knew that Jacob didnt deserve my overreaction, but Edward seemed to find something satisfying in it. Maybe he was just wishing that he had the excuse of being a newborn so that he could do something physical about his irritation with Jacob, too.
I tried to erase the anger from my system entirely, but it was hard, knowing that Jacob was outside with Renesmee right now. Keeping her safe from me, the crazed newborn.
Carlisle secured another piece of the brace to Seths arm, and Seth winced.
Sorry, sorry! I mumbled, knowing Id never get a fully articulated apology out.
Dont freak, Bella, Seth said, patting my knee with his good hand while Edward rubbed my arm from the other side.
Seth seemed to feel no aversion to having me sit beside him on the sofa as Carlisle treated him. Ill be back to normal in half an hour, he continued, still patting my knee as if oblivious to the cold, hard texture of it. Anyone would have done the same, what with Jake and Ness- He broke off mid-word and changed the subject quickly. I mean, at least you didnt bite me or anything. That wouldve sucked.
I buried my face in my hands and shuddered at the thought, at the very real possibility. It could have happened so easily. And werewolves didnt react to vampire venom the same way humans did, theyd told me only now. It was poison to them.
Im a bad person.
Of course you arent. I should have-, Edward started.
Stop that, I sighed. I didnt want him taking the blame for this the way he always took everything on himself.
Lucky thing Ness-Renesmees not venomous, Seth said after a second of awkward silence. Cause she bites Jake all the time.
My hands dropped. She does?
Sure. Whenever he