Breaking Dawn - Stephenie Meyer [180]
Nothings wrong with Renesmee, I choked out, the words breaking in strange places.
Then who?
All of us, Jacob, I whispered. And it was there in my voice, too-the sound of the inside of a grave. Its over. Weve all been sentenced to die.
* * *
29. DEFECTION
We sat there all night long, statues of horror and grief, and Alice never came back.
We were all at our limits-frenzied into absolute stillness. Carlisle had barely been able to move his lips to explain it all to Jacob. The retelling seemed to make it worse; even Emmett stood silent and still from then on.
It wasnt until the sun rose and I knew that Renesmee would soon be stirring under my hands that I wondered for the first time what could possibly be taking Alice so long. Id hoped to know more before I was faced with my daughters curiosity. To have some answers. Some tiny, tiny portion of hope so that I could smile and keep the truth from terrifying her, too.
My face felt permanently set into the fixed mask it had worn all night. I wasnt sure I had the ability to smile anymore.
Jacob was snoring in the corner, a mountain of fur on the floor, twitching anxiously in his sleep. Sam knew everything-the wolves were readying themselves for what was coming. Not that this preparation would do anything but get them killed with the rest of my family.
The sunlight broke through the back windows, sparkling on Edwards skin. My eyes had not moved from his since Alices departure. Wed stared at each other all night, staring at what neither of us could live through losing: the other. I saw my reflection glimmer in his agonized eyes as the sun touched my own skin.
His eyebrows moved an infinitesimal bit, then his lips.
Alice, he said.
The sound of his voice was like ice cracking as it melted. All of us fractured a little, softened a little. Moved again.
Shes been gone a long time, Rosalie murmured, surprised.
Where could she be? Emmett wondered, taking a step toward the door.
Esme put a hand on her arm. We dont want to disturb
Shes never taken so long before, Edward said. New worry splintered the mask his face had become. His features were alive again, his eyes suddenly wide with fresh fear, extra panic. Carlisle, you dont think-something preemptive? Would Alice have had time to see if they sent someone for her?
Aros translucent-skinned face filled my head. Aro, who had seen into all the corners of Alices mind, who knew everything she was capable of-
Emmett cussed loud enough that Jacob lurched to his feet with a growl. In the yard, his growl was echoed by his pack. My family was already a blur of action.
Stay with Renesmee! I all but shrieked at Jacob as I sprinted through the door.
I was still stronger than the rest of them, and I used that strength to push myself forward. I overtook Esme in a few bounds, and Rosalie in just a few strides more. I raced through the thick forest until I was right behind Edward and Carlisle.
Would they have been able to surprise her? Carlisle asked, his voice as even as if he were standing motionless rather than running at full speed.
I dont see how, Edward answered. But Aro knows her better than anyone else. Better than I do.
Is this a trap? Emmett called from behind us.
Maybe, Edward said. Theres no scent but Alice and Jasper. Where were they going?
Alice and Jaspers trail was curling into a wide arc; it stretched first east of the house, but headed north on the other side of the river, and then back west again after a few miles. We recrossed the river, all six jumping within a second of each other. Edward ran in the lead, his concentration total.
Did you catch that scent? Esme called ahead a few moments after wed leaped the river for the second time. She was the farthest back, on the far left edge of our hunting party. She gestured to the southeast.
Keep to the main trail-were almost to the Quileute border, Edward ordered tersely. Stay together. See if they turned north or south.
I was not as familiar with the treaty line as the rest of them, but I could