Twilight - Stephenie Meyer [41]
“What do you mean, ‘civilized’?”
“They claimed that they didn’t hunt humans. They supposedly were somehow able to prey on animals instead.”
I tried to keep my voice casual. “So how does it fit in with the Cullens? Are they like the cold ones your great-grandfather met?”
“No.” He paused dramatically. “They are the same ones.”
He must have thought the expression on my face was fear inspired by his story. He smiled, pleased, and continued.
“There are more of them now, a new female and a new male, but the rest are the same. In my great-grandfather’s time they already knew of the leader, Carlisle. He’d been here and gone before your people had even arrived.” He was fighting a smile.
“And what are they?” I finally asked. “What are the cold ones?”
He smiled darkly.
“Blood drinkers,” he replied in a chilling voice. “Your people call them vampires.”
I stared out at the rough surf after he answered, not sure what my face was exposing.
“You have goose bumps,” he laughed delightedly.
“You’re a good storyteller,” I complimented him, still staring into the waves.
“Pretty crazy stuff, though, isn’t it? No wonder my dad doesn’t want us to talk about it to anyone.”
I couldn’t control my expression enough to look at him yet. “Don’t worry, I won’t give you away.”
“I guess I just violated the treaty,” he laughed.
“I’ll take it to the grave,” I promised, and then I shivered.
“Seriously, though, don’t say anything to Charlie. He was pretty mad at my dad when he heard that some of us weren’t going to the hospital since Dr. Cullen started working there.”
“I won’t, of course not.”
“So do you think we’re a bunch of superstitious natives or what?” he asked in a playful tone, but with a hint of worry. I still hadn’t looked away from the ocean.
I turned and smiled at him as normally as I could.
“No. I think you’re very good at telling scary stories, though. I still have goose bumps, see?” I held up my arm.
“Cool.” He smiled.
And then the sound of the beach rocks clattering against each other warned us that someone was approaching. Our heads snapped up at the same time to see Mike and Jessica about fifty yards away, walking toward us.
“There you are, Bella,” Mike called in relief, waving his arm over his head.
“Is that your boyfriend?” Jacob asked, alerted by the jealous edge in Mike’s voice. I was surprised it was so obvious.
“No, definitely not,” I whispered. I was tremendously grateful to Jacob, and eager to make him as happy as possible. I winked at him, carefully turning away from Mike to do so. He smiled, elated by my inept flirting.
“So when I get my license . . . ,” he began.
“You should come see me in Forks. We could hang out sometime.” I felt guilty as I said this, knowing that I’d used him. But I really did like Jacob. He was someone I could easily be friends with.
Mike had reached us now, with Jessica still a few paces back. I could see his eyes appraising Jacob, and looking satisfied at his obvious youth.
“Where have you been?” he asked, though the answer was right in front of him.
“Jacob was just telling me some local stories,” I volunteered. “It was really interesting.”
I smiled at Jacob warmly, and he grinned back.
“Well,” Mike paused, carefully reassessing the situation as he watched our camaraderie. “We’re packing up — it looks like it’s going to rain soon.”
We all looked up at the glowering sky. It certainly did look like rain.
“Okay.” I jumped up. “I’m coming.”
“It was nice to see you again,” Jacob said, and I could tell he was taunting Mike just a bit.
“It really was. Next time Charlie comes down to see Billy, I’ll come, too,” I promised.
His grin stretched across his face. “That would be cool.”
“And thanks,” I added earnestly.
I pulled up my hood as we tramped across the rocks toward the parking lot. A few drops were beginning to fall, making black spots on the stones where they landed. When we got to the Suburban the others were already loading everything back in. I crawled into the backseat by Angela and Tyler, announcing that I’d already had my turn