Breaking Dawn - Stephenie Meyer [79]
I would never blame her again. How could anyone help spreading this kind of misery around? How could anyone not try to ease some of the burden by shoving a little piece of it off on someone else?
And if it meant that I had to have a pack, how could I blame her for taking my freedom? I would do the same. If there was a way to escape this pain, Id take it, too.
Rosalie darted downstairs after a second, flying through the room like a sharp breeze, stirring up the burning smell. She stopped inside the kitchen, and I heard the creak of a cupboard door.
Not clear, Rosalie, Edward murmured. He rolled his eyes.
Bella looked curious, but Edward just shook his head at her.
Rosalie blew back through the room and disappeared again.
This was your idea? Bella whispered, her voice rough as she strained to make it loud enough for me to hear. Forgetting that I could hear just fine. I kind of liked how, a lot of the time, she seemed to forget that I wasnt completely human. I moved closer, so that she wouldnt have to work so hard.
Dont blame me for this one. Your vampire was just picking snide comments out of my head.
She smiled a little. I didnt expect to see you again.
Yeah, me, either, I said.
It felt weird just standing here, but the vampires had shoved all the furniture out of the way for the medical setup. I imagined that it didnt bother them-sitting or standing didnt make much difference when you were stone. Wouldnt bother me much, either, except that I was so exhausted.
Edward told me what you had to do. Im sorry.
Sokay. It was probably only a matter of time till I snapped over something Sam wanted me to do, I lied.
And Seth, she whispered.
Hes actually happy to help.
I hate causing you trouble.
I laughed once-more a bark than a laugh.
She breathed a faint sigh. I guess thats nothing new, is it?
No, not really.
You dont have to stay and watch this, she said, barely mouthing the words.
I could leave. It was probably a good idea. But if I did, with the way she looked right now, I could be missing the last fifteen minutes of her life.
I dont really have anywhere else to go, I told her, trying to keep the emotion out of my voice. The wolf thing is a lot less appealing since Leah joined up.
Leah? she gasped.
You didnt tell her? I asked Edward.
He just shrugged without moving his eyes from her face. I could see it wasnt very exciting news to him, not something worth sharing with the more important events that were going down.
Bella didnt take it so lightly. It looked like it was bad news to her.
Why? she breathed.
I didnt want to get into the whole novel- length version. To keep an eye on Seth.
But Leah hates us, she whispered.
Us. Nice. I could see that she was afraid, though.
Leahs not going to bug anyone. But me. Shes in my pack-I grimaced at the words-so she follows my lead. Ugh.
Bella didnt look convinced.
Youre scared of Leah, but youre best buds with the psychopath blonde?
There was a low hiss from the second floor. Cool, shed heard me.
Bella frowned at me. Dont. Rose understands.
Yeah, I grunted. She understands that youre gonna die and she doesnt care, slong as she gets her mutant spawn out of the deal.
Stop being a jerk, Jacob, she whispered.
She looked too weak to get mad at. I tried to smile instead. You say that like its possible.
Bella tried not to smile back for a second, but she couldnt help it in the end; her chalky lips pulled up at the corners.
And then Carlisle and the psycho in question were there. Carlisle had a white plastic cup in his hand-the kind with a lid and a bendy straw. Oh-not clear; now I got it. Edward didnt want Bella to have to think about what she was doing any more than necessary. You couldnt see what was in the cup at all. But I could smell it.
Carlisle hesitated, the hand with the cup half-extended. Bella eyed it, looking scared again.