Breaking Dawn - Stephenie Meyer [179]
Carlisle echoed me in a whisper. Other friends we dont have to sentence to death.
Hey, well let them decide, Emmett said in a placating tone. Im not saying they have to fight with us. I could see the plan refining itself in his head as he spoke. If theyd just stand beside us, just long enough to make the Volturi hesitate. Bellas right, after all. If we could force them to stop and listen. Though that might take away any reason for a fight
There was a hint of a smile on Emmetts face now. I was surprised no one had hit him yet. I wanted to.
Yes, Esme said eagerly. That makes sense, Emmett. All we need is for the Volturi to pause for one moment. Just long enough to listen.
Wed need quite a show of witnesses, Rosalie said harshly, her voice brittle as glass.
Esme nodded in agreement, as if she hadnt heard the sarcasm in Rosalies tone. We can ask that much of our friends. Just to witness.
Wed do it for them, Emmett said.
Well have to ask them just right, Alice murmured. I looked to see her eyes were a dark void again. Theyll have to be shown very carefully.
Shown? Jasper asked.
Alice and Edward both looked down at Renesmee. Then Alices eyes glazed over.
Tanyas family, she said. Siobhans coven. Amuns. Some of the nomads-Garrett and Mary for certain. Maybe Alistair.
What about Peter and Charlotte? Jasper asked half fearfully, as if he hoped the answer was no, and his old brother could be spared from the coming carnage.
Maybe.
The Amazons? Carlisle asked. Kachiri, Zafrina, and Senna?
Alice seemed too deep into her vision to answer at first; finally she shuddered, and her eyes flickered back to the present. She met Carlisles gaze for the tiniest part of a second, and then looked down.
I cant see.
What was that? Edward asked, his whisper a demand. That part in the jungle. Are we going to look for them?
I cant see, Alice repeated, not meeting his eyes. A flash of confusion crossed Edwards face. Well have to split up and hurry-before the snow sticks to the ground. We have to round up whomever we can and get them here to show them. She zoned again. Ask Eleazar. There is more to this than just an immortal child.
The silence was ominous for another long moment while Alice was in her trance. She blinked slowly when it was over, her eyes peculiarly opaque despite the fact that she was clearly in the present.
There is so much. We have to hurry, she whispered.
Alice? Edward asked. That was too fast-I didnt understand. What was-?
I cant see! she exploded back at him. Jacobs almost here!
Rosalie took a step toward the front door. Ill deal with-
No, let him come, Alice said quickly, her voice straining higher with each word. She grabbed Jaspers hand and began pulling him toward the back door. Ill see better away from Nessie, too. I need to go. I need to really concentrate. I need to see everything I can. I have to go. Come on, Jasper, theres no time to waste!
We all could hear Jacob on the stairs. Alice yanked, impatient, on Jaspers hand. He followed quickly, confusion in his eyes just like Edwards. They darted out the door into the silver night.
Hurry! she called back to us. You have to find them all!
Find what? Jacob asked, shutting the front door behind himself. Whered Alice go?
No one answered; we all just stared.
Jacob shook the wet from his hair and pulled his arms through the sleeves of his t-shirt, his eyes on Renesmee. Hey, Bells! I thought you guys wouldve gone home by now
He looked up to me finally, blinked, and then stared. I watched his expression as the rooms atmosphere finally touched him. He glanced down, eyes wide, at the wet spot on the floor, the scattered roses, the fragments of crystal. His fingers quivered.
What? he asked flatly. What happened?
I couldnt think where to begin. No one else found the words, either.
Jacob crossed the room in three long strides and dropped to his knees beside Renesmee and me. I could feel the heat shaking off his body as tremors rolled down his arms to his shaking hands.
Is she okay? he demanded, touching her forehead, tilting his head