Breaking Dawn - Stephenie Meyer [246]
Alice sighed. Just get it off your chest, Bella.
How could you do that to me, Alice?
It was necessary.
Necessary! I exploded. You had me totally convinced that we were all going to die! Ive been a wreck for weeks.
It might have gone that way, she said calmly. In which case you needed to be prepared to save Nessie.
Instinctively, I held Nessie-asleep now on my lap-tighter in my arms.
But you knew there were other ways, too, I accused. You knew there was hope. Did it ever occur to you that you could have told me everything? I know Edward had to think we were at a dead end for Aros sake, but you could have told me.
She looked at me speculatively for a moment. I dont think so, she said. Youre just not that good an actress.
This was about my acting skills?
Oh, take it down an octave, Bella. Do you have any idea how complicated this was to set up? I couldnt even be sure that someone like Nahuel existed-all I knew was that I would be looking for something I couldnt see! Try to imagine searching for a blind spot-not the easiest thing Ive ever done. Plus we had to send back the key witnesses, like we werent in enough of a hurry. And then keeping my eyes open all the time in case you decided to throw me any more instructions. At some point youre going to have to tell me what exactly is in Rio. Before any of that, I had to try to see every trick the Volturi might come in with and give you what few clues I could so you would be ready for their strategy, and I only had just a few hours to trace out all the possibilities. Most of all, I had to make sure youd all believe that I was ditching out on you, because Aro had to be positive that you had nothing left up your sleeves or he never would have committed to an out the way he did. And if you think I didnt feel like a schmuck-
Okay, okay! I interrupted. Sorry! I know it was rough for you, too. Its just that well, I missed you like crazy, Alice. Dont do that to me again.
Alices trilling laugh rang through the room, and we all smiled to hear that music once more. I missed you, too, Bella. So forgive me, and try to be satisfied with being the superhero of the day.
Everyone else laughed now, and I ducked my face into Nessies hair, embarrassed.
Edward went back to analyzing every shift of intention and control that had happened in the meadow today, declaring that it was my shield that had made the Volturi run away with their tails between their legs. The way everyone looked at me made me uncomfortable. Even Edward. It was like I had grown a hundred feet during the course of the morning. I tried to ignore the impressed looks, mostly keeping my eyes on Nessies sleeping face and Jacobs unchanged expression. I would always be just Bella to him, and that was a relief.
The hardest stare to ignore was also the most confusing one.
It wasnt like this half-human, half-vampire Nahuel was used to thinking of me in a certain way. For all he knew, I went around routing attacking vampires every day and the scene in the meadow had been nothing unusual at all. But the boy never took his eyes off me. Or maybe he was looking at Nessie. That made me uncomfortable, too.
He couldnt be oblivious to the fact that Nessie was the only female of his kind that wasnt his half- sister.
I didnt think this idea had occurred to Jacob yet. I kind of hoped it wouldnt soon. Id had enough fighting to last me for a while.
Eventually, the others ran out of questions for Edward, and the discussion dissolved into a bunch of smaller conversations.
I felt oddly tired. Not sleepy, of course, but just like the day had been long enough. I wanted some peace, some normality. I wanted Nessie in her own bed; I wanted the walls of my own little home around me.
I looked at Edward and felt for a moment like I could read his mind. I could see he felt exactly the same way. Ready for some peace.
Should we take Nessie
Thats probably a good idea, he agreed quickly. Im sure she didnt sleep soundly last night, what with all the snoring.
He grinned at Jacob.
Jacob rolled his