Breaking Dawn - Stephenie Meyer [216]
The Romanians pronouncement seemed to have made the others feel the need to declare themselves as well.
We have not decided, Peter said. He looked down at his tiny companion; Charlottes lips were set in dissatisfaction. It looked like shed made her decision. I wondered what it was.
The same goes for me, Randall said.
And me, Mary added.
The packs will fight with the Cullens, Jacob said suddenly. Were not afraid of vampires, he added with a smirk.
Children, Peter muttered.
Infants, Randall corrected.
Jacob grinned tauntingly.
Well, Im in, too, Maggie said, shrugging out from under Siobhans restraining hand. I know truth is on Carlisles side. I cant ignore that.
Siobhan stared at the junior member of her coven with worried eyes. Carlisle, she said as if they were alone, ignoring the suddenly formal feel of the gathering, the unexpected outburst of declarations, I dont want this to come to a fight.
Nor do I, Siobhan. You know thats the last thing I want. He half-smiled. Perhaps you should concentrate on keeping it peaceful.
You know that wont help, she said.
I remembered Rose and Carlisles discussion of the Irish leader; Carlisle believed that Siobhan had some subtle but powerful gift to make things go her way-and yet Siobhan didnt believe it herself.
It couldnt hurt, Carlisle said.
Siobhan rolled her eyes. Shall I visualize the outcome I desire? she asked sarcastically.
Carlisle was openly grinning now. If you dont mind.
Then there is no need for my coven to declare itself, is there? she retorted. Since there is no possibility of a fight. She put her hand back on Maggies shoulder, pulling the girl closer to her. Siobhans mate, Liam, stood silent and expressionless.
Almost everyone else in the room looked mystified by Carlisle and Siobhans clearly joking exchange, but they didnt explain themselves.
That was the end of the dramatic speeches for the night. The group slowly dispersed, some off to hunt, some to while away the time with Carlisles books or televisions or computers.
Edward, Renesmee, and I went to hunt. Jacob tagged along.
Stupid leeches, he muttered to himself when we got outside. Think theyre so superior. He snorted.
Theyll be shocked when the infants save their superior lives, wont they? Edward said.
Jake smiled and punched his shoulder. Hell yeah, they will.
This wasnt our last hunting trip. We all would hunt again nearer to the time we expected the Volturi. As the deadline was not exact, we were planning to stay a few nights out in the big baseball clearing Alice had seen, just in case. All we knew was that they would come the day that the snow stuck to the ground. We didnt want the Volturi too close to town, and Demetri would lead them to wherever we were. I wondered who he would track in, and guessed that it would be Edward since he couldnt track me.
I thought about Demetri while I hunted, paying little attention to my prey or the drifting snowflakes that had finally appeared but were melting before they touched the rocky soil. Would Demetri realize that he couldnt track me? What would he make of that? What would Aro? Or was Edward wrong? There were those little exceptions to what I could withstand, those ways around my shield. Everything that was outside my mind was vulnerable-open to the things Jasper, Alice, and Benjamin could do. Maybe Demetris talent worked a little differently, too.
And then I had a thought that brought me up short. The half-drained elk dropped from my hands to the stony ground. Snowflakes vaporized a few inches from the warm body with tiny sizzling sounds. I stared blankly at my bloody hands.
Edward saw my reaction and hurried to my side, leaving his own kill undrained.
Whats wrong? he asked in a low voice, his eyes sweeping the forest around us, looking for whatever had triggered my behavior.
Renesmee, I choked.
Shes just through those trees, he reassured me. I can hear both her thoughts and Jacobs. Shes fine.
Thats not what I meant, I said. I was thinking about my shield-you really think its worth something, that it will help somehow. I know