Breaking Dawn - Stephenie Meyer [69]
Shut up, Seth.
Yes, sir.
Stop that! There are not two packs. There is THE pack, and then there is me. Thats all. So you can go home now.
If there arent two packs, then why can we hear each other and not the rest? I think that when you turned your back on Sam, that was a pretty significant move. A change. And when I followed you away, I think that was significant, too.
Youve got a point, I conceded. But what can change can change right back.
He got up and started trotting toward the east. No time to argue about it now. We should be moving right along before Sam
He was right about that part. There was no time for this argument. I fell into a run again, not pushing myself quite as hard. Seth stayed on my heels, holding the Seconds traditional place on my right flank.
I can run somewhere else, he thought, his nose dipping a little. I didnt follow you because I was after a promotion.
Run wherever you want. Makes no difference to me.
There was no sound of pursuit, but we both stepped it up a little at the same time. I was worried now. If I couldnt tap into the packs mind, it was going to make this more difficult. Id have no more advance warning of attack than the Cullens.
Well run patrols, Seth suggested.
And what do we do if the pack challenges us? My eyes tightened. Attack our brothers? Your sister?
No-we sound the alarm and fall back.
Good answer. But then what? I dont think
I know, he agreed. Less confident now. I dont think I can fight them, either. But they wont be any happier with the idea of attacking us than we are with attacking them. That might be enough to stop them right there. Plus, therere only eight of them now.
Stop being so Took me a minute to decide on the right word. Optimistic. Its getting on my nerves.
No problem. You want me to be all doom and gloom, or just shut up?
Just shut up.
Can do.
Really? Doesnt seem like it.
He was finally quiet.
And then we were across the road and moving through the forest that ringed the Cullens house. Could Edward hear us yet?
Maybe we should be thinking something like, We come in peace.
Go for it.
Edward? He called the name tentatively. Edward, you there? Okay, now I feel kinda stupid.
You sound stupid, too.
Think he can hear us?
We were less than a mile out now. I think so. Hey, Edward. If you can hear me-circle the wagons, bloodsucker. Youve got a problem.
Weve got a problem, Seth corrected.
Then we broke through the trees into the big lawn. The house was dark, but not empty. Edward stood on the porch between Emmett and Jasper. They were snow white in the pale light.
Jacob? Seth? Whats going on?
I slowed and then paced back a few steps. The smell was so sharp through this nose that it felt like it was honestly burning me. Seth whined quietly, hesitating, and then he fell back behind me.
To answer Edwards question, I let my mind run over the confrontation with Sam, moving through it backward. Seth thought with me, filling in the gaps, showing the scene from another angle. We stopped when we got to the part about the abomination, because Edward hissed furiously and leaped off the porch.
They want to kill Bella? he snarled flatly.
Emmett and Jasper, not having heard the first part of the conversation, took his inflectionless question for a statement. They were right next to him in a flash, teeth exposed as they moved on us.
Hey, now, Seth thought, backing away.
Em, Jazz-not them! The others. The pack is coming.
Emmett and Jasper rocked back on their heels; Emmett turned to Edward while Jasper kept his eyes locked on us.
Whats their problem? Emmett demanded.
The same one as mine, Edward hissed. But they have their own plan to handle it. Get the others. Call Carlisle! He and Esme have to get back here now.
I whined uneasily. They were separated.
They arent far, Edward said in the same dead voice as before.
Im going to go take a look, Seth said. Run the western perimeter.
Will you be in danger, Seth? Edward asked.
Seth and I exchanged a glance.
Dont think so, we thought