Breaking Dawn - Stephenie Meyer [230]
Just an errant thought, Aro said, appraising Jacob openly, and then his eyes moved slowly across the two lines of werewolves behind us. Whatever Renesmee had shown him, it made the wolves suddenly interesting to him.
They dont belong to us, Aro. They dont follow our commands that way. Theyre here because they want to be.
Jacob growled menacingly.
They seem quite attached to you, though, Aro said. And your young mate and your family. Loyal. His voice caressed the word softly.
Theyre committed to protecting human life, Aro. That makes them able to coexist with us, but hardly with you. Unless youre rethinking your lifestyle.
Aro laughed merrily. Just an errant thought, he repeated. You well know how that is. We none of us can entirely control our subconscious desires.
Edward grimaced. I do know how that is. And I also know the difference between that kind of thought and the kind with a purpose behind it. It could never work, Aro.
Jacobs vast head turned in Edwards direction, and a faint whine slipped from between his teeth.
Hes intrigued with the idea of guard dogs, Edward murmured back.
There was one second of dead silence, and then the sound of the furious snarls ripping from the entire pack filled the giant clearing.
There was a sharp bark of command-from Sam, I guessed, though I didnt turn to look-and the complaint broke off into ominous quiet.
I suppose that answers that question, Aro said, laughing again. This lot has picked its side.
Edward hissed and leaned forward. I clutched at his arm, wondering what could be in Aros thoughts that would make him react so violently, while Felix and Demetri slipped into crouches in synchronization. Aro waved them off again. They all returned to their former posture, Edward included.
So much to discuss, Aro said, his tone suddenly that of an inundated businessman. So much to decide. If you and your furry protector will excuse me, my dear Cullens, I must confer with my brothers.
* * *
37. CONTRIVANCES
Aro did not rejoin his anxious guard waiting on the north side of the clearing; instead, he waved them forward.
Edward started backing up immediately, pulling my arm and Emmetts. We hurried backward, keeping our eyes on the advancing threat. Jacob retreated slowest, the fur on his shoulders standing straight up as he bared his fangs at Aro. Renesmee grabbed the end of his tail as we retreated; she held it like a leash, forcing him to stay with us. We reached our family at the same time that the dark cloaks surrounded Aro again.
Now there were only fifty yards between them and us-a distance any of us could leap in just a fraction of a second.
Caius began arguing with Aro at once.
How can you abide this infamy? Why do we stand here impotently in the face of such an outrageous crime, covered by such a ridiculous deception? He held his arms rigidly at his sides, his hands curled into claws. I wondered why he did not just touch Aro to share his opinion. Were we seeing a division in their ranks already? Could we be that lucky?
Because its all true, Aro told him calmly. Every word of it. See how many witnesses stand ready to give evidence that they have seen this miraculous child grow and mature in just the short time theyve known her. That they have felt the warmth of the blood that pulses in her veins. Aros gesture swept from Amun on one side across to Siobhan on the other.
Caius reacted oddly to Aros soothing words, starting ever so slightly at the mention of witnesses. The anger drained from his features, replaced by a cold calculation. He glanced at the Volturi witnesses with an expression that looked vaguely nervous.
I glanced at the angry mob, too, and saw immediately that the description no longer applied. The frenzy for action had turned to confusion. Whispered conversations seethed through the crowd as they tried to make sense of what had happened.
Caius was frowning, deep in thought. His speculative expression stoked the flames of my smoldering anger at the same time that it worried me. What if the guard acted again on