Breaking Dawn - Stephenie Meyer [76]
I felt the same way I had yesterday, when Id seen the black stains across her stomach-furious, and a little crazy.
I clenched my hands into fists to control the shaking. I hated the thing that was hurting her. It wasnt enough for the monster to beat her from the inside out. No, it was starving her, too. Probably just looking for something to sink its teeth into-a throat to suck dry. Since it wasnt big enough to kill anyone else yet, it settled for sucking Bellas life from her.
I could tell them exactly what it wanted: death and blood, blood and death.
My skin was all hot and prickly. I breathed slowly in and out, focusing on that to calm myself.
I wish I could get a better idea of what exactly it is, Carlisle murmured. The fetus is well protected. I havent been able to produce an ultrasonic image. I doubt there is any way to get a needle through the amniotic sac, but Rosalie wont agree to let me try, in any case.
A needle? I mumbled. What good would that do?
The more I know about the fetus, the better I can estimate what it will be capable of. What I wouldnt give for even a little amniotic fluid. If I knew even the chromosomal count
Youre losing me, Doc. Can you dumb it down?
He chuckled once-even his laugh sounded exhausted. Okay. How much biology have you taken? Did you study chromosomal pairs?
Think so. We have twenty-three, right?
Humans do.
I blinked. How many do you have?
Twenty-five.
I frowned at my fists for a second. What does that mean?
I thought it meant that our species were almost completely different. Less related than a lion and a house cat. But this new life-well, it suggests that were more genetically compatible than Id thought. He sighed sadly. I didnt know to warn them.
I sighed, too. It had been easy to hate Edward for the same ignorance. I still hated him for it. It was just hard to feel the same way about Carlisle. Maybe because I wasnt ten shades of jealous in Carlisles case.
It might help to know what the count was- whether the fetus was closer to us or to her. To know what to expect. Then he shrugged. And maybe it wouldnt help anything. I guess I just wish I had something to study, anything to do.
Wonder what my chromosomes are like, I muttered randomly. I thought of those Olympic steroids tests again. Did they run DNA scans?
Carlisle coughed self-consciously. You have twenty-four pairs, Jacob.
I turned slowly to stare at him, raising my eyebrows.
He looked embarrassed. I was curious. I took the liberty when I was treating you last June.
I thought about it for a second. I guess that should piss me off. But I dont really care.
Im sorry. I should have asked.
Sokay, Doc. You didnt mean any harm.
No, I promise you that I did not mean you any harm. Its just that I find your species fascinating. I suppose that the elements of vampiric nature have come to seem commonplace to me over the centuries. Your familys divergence from humanity is much more interesting. Magical, almost.
Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo, I mumbled. He was just like Bella with all the magic garbage.
Carlisle laughed another weary laugh.
Then we heard Edwards voice inside the house, and we both paused to listen.
Ill be right back, Bella. I want to speak with Carlisle for a moment. Actually, Rosalie, would you mind accompanying me? Edward sounded different. There was a little life in his dead voice. A spark of something. Not hope exactly, but maybe the desire to hope.
What is it, Edward? Bella asked hoarsely.
Nothing you need to worry about, love. It will just take a second. Please,