Breaking Dawn - Stephenie Meyer [238]
No, master, they whispered in unison.
Is the protection of our world worth perhaps the loss of some of our number?
Yes, they breathed. We are not afraid.
Aro smiled and turned to his black-clad companions.
Brothers, Aro said somberly, there is much to consider here.
Let us counsel, Caius said eagerly.
Let us counsel, Marcus repeated in an uninterested tone.
Aro turned his back to us again, facing the other ancients. They joined hands to form a black-shrouded triangle.
As soon as Aros attention was engaged in the silent counsel, two more of their witnesses disappeared silently into the forest. I hoped, for their sakes, that they were fast.
This was it. Carefully, I loosened Renesmees arms from my neck.
You remember what I told you?
Tears welled in her eyes, but she nodded. I love you, she whispered.
Edward was watching us now, his topaz eyes wide. Jacob stared at us from the corner of his big dark eye.
I love you, too, I said, and then I touched her locket. More than my own life. I kissed her forehead.
Jacob whined uneasily.
I stretched up on my toes and whispered into his ear. Wait until theyre totally distracted, then run with her. Get as far from this place as you possibly can. When youve gone as far as you can on foot, she has what you need to get you in the air.
Edwards and Jacobs faces were almost identical masks of horror, despite the fact that one of them was an animal.
Renesmee reached for Edward, and he took her in his arms. They hugged each other tightly.
This is what you kept from me? he whispered over her head.
From Aro, I breathed.
Alice?
I nodded.
His face twisted with understanding and pain. Had that been the expression on my face when Id finally put together Alices clues?
Jacob was growling quietly, a low rasp that was as even and unbroken as a purr. His hackles were stiff and his teeth exposed.
Edward kissed Renesmees forehead and both her cheeks, then he lifted her to Jacobs shoulder. She scrambled agilely onto his back, pulling herself into place with handfuls of his fur, and fit herself easily into the dip between his massive shoulder blades.
Jacob turned to me, his expressive eyes full of agony, the rumbling growl still grating through his chest.
Youre the only one we could ever trust her with, I murmured to him. If you didnt love her so much, I could never bear this. I know you can protect her, Jacob.
He whined again, and dipped his head to butt it against my shoulder.
I know, I whispered. I love you, too, Jake. Youll always be my best man.
A tear the size of a baseball rolled into the russet fur beneath his eye.
Edward leaned his head against the same shoulder where hed placed Renesmee. Goodbye, Jacob, my brother my son.
The others were not oblivious to the farewell scene. Their eyes were locked on the silent black triangle, but I could tell they were listening.
Is there no hope, then? Carlisle whispered. There was no fear in his voice. Just determination and acceptance.
There is absolutely hope, I murmured back. It could be true, I told myself. I only know my own fate.
Edward took my hand. He knew that he was included. When I said my fate, there was no question that I meant the two of us. We were just halves of the whole.
Esmes breath was ragged behind me. She moved past us, touching our faces as she passed, to stand beside Carlisle and hold his hand.
Suddenly, we were surrounded by murmured goodbyes and I love yous.
If we live through this, Garrett whispered to Kate, Ill follow you anywhere, woman.
Now he tells me, she muttered.
Rosalie and Emmett kissed quickly but passionately.
Tia caressed Benjamins face. He smiled back cheerfully, catching her hand and holding it against his cheek.
I didnt see all the expressions of love and pain. I was distracted by a sudden fluttering pressure against the outside of my shield. I couldnt tell where it came from, but it felt like it was directed at the edges of our group, Siobhan and Liam particularly.