Breaking Dawn - Stephenie Meyer [240]
They didnt speak; they waited, too, as the mist approached us. The wind shrieked louder but didnt change the course of the mist. Jane was smiling now.
And then the mist hit a wall.
I could taste it as soon as it touched my shield-it had a dense, sweet, cloying flavor. It made me remember dimly the numbness of Novocain on my tongue.
The mist curled upward, seeking a breach, a weakness. It found none. The fingers of searching haze twisted upward and around, trying to find a way in, and in the process illustrating the astonishing size of the protective screen.
There were gasps on both sides of Benjamins gorge.
Well done, Bella! Benjamin cheered in a low voice.
My smile returned.
I could see Alecs narrowed eyes, doubt on his face for the first time as his mist swirled harmlessly around the edges of my shield.
And then I knew that I could do this. Obviously, I would be the number-one priority, the first one to die, but as long as I held, we were on more than equal footing with the Volturi. We still had Benjamin and Zafrina; they had no supernatural help at all. As long as I held.
Im going to have to concentrate, I whispered to Edward. When it comes to hand to hand, its going to be harder to keep the shield around the right people.
Ill keep them off you.
No. You have to get to Demetri. Zafrina will keep them away from me.
Zafrina nodded solemnly. No one will touch this young one, she promised Edward.
Id go after Jane and Alec myself, but I can do more good here.
Janes mine, Kate hissed. She needs a taste of her own medicine.
And Alec owes me many lives, but I will settle for his, Vladimir growled from the other side. Hes mine.
I just want Caius, Tanya said evenly.
The others started divvying up opponents, too, but they were quickly interrupted.
Aro, staring calmly at Alecs ineffective mist, finally spoke.
Before we vote, he began.
I shook my head angrily. I was tired of this charade. The bloodlust was igniting in me again, and I was sorry that I would help the others more by standing still. I wanted to fight.
Let me remind you, Aro continued, whatever the councils decision, there need be no violence here.
Edward snarled out a dark laugh.
Aro stared at him sadly. It will be a regrettable waste to our kind to lose any of you. But you especially, young Edward, and your newborn mate. The Volturi would be glad to welcome many of you into our ranks. Bella, Benjamin, Zafrina, Kate. There are many choices before you. Consider them.
Chelseas attempt to sway us fluttered impotently against my shield. Aros gaze swept across our hard eyes, looking for any indication of hesitation. From his expression, he found none.
I knew he was desperate to keep Edward and me, to imprison us the way he had hoped to enslave Alice. But this fight was too big. He would not win if I lived. I was fiercely glad to be so powerful that I left him no way not to kill me.
Let us vote, then, he said with apparent reluctance.
Caius spoke with eager haste. The child is an unknown quantity. There is no reason to allow such a risk to exist. It must be destroyed, along with all who protect it. He smiled in expectation.
I fought back a shriek of defiance to answer his cruel smirk.
Marcus lifted his uncaring eyes, seeming to look through us as he voted.
I see no immediate danger. The child is safe enough for now. We can always reevaluate later. Let us leave in peace. His voice was even fainter than his brothers feathery sighs.
None of the guard relaxed their ready positions at his disagreeing words. Caiuss anticipatory grin did not falter. It was as if Marcus hadnt spoken at all.
I must make the deciding vote, it seems, Aro mused.
Suddenly, Edward stiffened at my side. Yes! he hissed.
I risked a glance at him. His face glowed with an expression of triumph that I didnt understand-it was the expression an angel of destruction might wear while the world burned. Beautiful and terrifying.
There was a low reaction from the guard, an uneasy murmur.
Aro? Edward called, nearly shouted, undisguised