3 eclipse月食-第48部分

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When　we　got　to　the　big　open　field；　his　family　was　there；　talking　casually；　relaxed。　Emmett’s　booming　laugh　
echoed　through　the　wide　space　now　and　then。　Edward　set　me　down　and　we　walked　hand　in　hand　toward　
them。　
It　took　me　a　minute；　because　it　was　so　dark　with　the　moon　hidden　behind　the　clouds；　but　I　realized　that　
we　were　in　the　baseball　clearing。　It　was　the　same　place　where；　more　than　a　year　ago；　that　first　lighthearted　
evening　with　the　Cullens　had　been　interrupted　by　James　and　his　coven。　It　felt　strange　to　be　here　again　—　as　if　
this　gathering　wouldn’t　be　plete　until　James　and　Laurent　and　Victoria　joined　us。　But　James　and　Laurent　
were　never　ing　back。　That　pattern　wouldn’t　be　repeated。　Maybe　all　the　patterns　were　broken。　
Yes；　someone　had　broken　out　of　their　pattern。　Was　it　possible　that　the　Volturi　were　the　flexible　ones　in　
this　equation？　
I　doubted　it。　
Victoria　had　always　seemed　like　a　force　of　nature　to　me　—　like　a　hurricane　moving　toward　the　coast　in　a　
straight　line　—　unavoidable；　implacable；　but　predictable。　Maybe　it　was　wrong　to　limit　her　that　way。　She　had　to　
be　capable　of　adaptation。　
“You　know　what　I　think？”　I　asked　Edward。　
He　laughed。　“No。”　
I　almost　smiled。　
“What　do　you　think？”　
“I　think　it’s　all　connected。　Not　just　the　two；　but　all　three。”　
“You’ve　lost　me。”　
“Three　bad　things　have　happened　since　you　came　back。”　I　ticked　them　off　on　my　fingers。　“The　newborns　
in　Seattle。　The　stranger　in　my　room。　And　—　first　of　all　—　Victoria　came　to　look　for　me。”　
His　eyes　narrowed　as　he　thought　about　it。　“Why　do　you　think　so？”　
“Because　I　agree　with　Jasper　—　the　Volturi　love　their　rules。　They　would　probably　do　a　better　job　
anyway。”　And　I’d　be　dead　if　they　wanted　me　dead；　I　added　mentally。　“Remember　when　you　were　tracking　
Victoria　last　year？”　
“Yes。”　He　frowned。　“I　wasn’t　very　good　at　it。”　
“Alice　said　you　were　in　Texas。　Did　you　follow　her　there？”　
His　eyebrows　pulled　together。　“Yes。　Hmm　。　。　。”　
“See　—　she　could　have　gotten　the　idea　there。　But　she　doesn’t　know　what　she’s　doing；　so　the　newborns　
are　all　out　of　control。”　
He　started　shaking　his　head。　“Only　Aro　knows　exactly　how　Alice’s　visions　work。”　

“Aro　would　know　best；　but　wouldn’t　Tanya　and　Irina　and　the　rest　of　your　friends　in　Denali　know　enough？　
Laurent　lived　with　them　for　so　long。　And　if　he　was　still　friendly　enough　with　Victoria　to　be　doing　favors　for　her；　
why　wouldn’t　he　also　tell　her　everything　he　knew？”　
Edward　frowned。　“It　wasn’t　Victoria　in　your　room。”　
“She　can’t　make　new　friends？　Think　about　it；　Edward。　If　it　is　Victoria　doing　this　in　Seattle；　she’s　made　a　
lot　of　new　friends。　She’s　created　them。”　
He　considered　it；　his　forehead　creased　in　concentration。　
“Hmm；”　he　finally　said。　“It’s　possible。　I　still　think　the　Volturi　are　most　likely　。　。　。　But　your　theory　—　there’s　
something　there。　Victoria’s　personality。　Your　theory　suits　her　personality　perfectly。　She’s　shown　a　remarkable　
gift　for　selfpreservation　from　the　start　—　maybe　it’s　a　talent　of　hers。　In　any　case；　this　plot　would　put　her　in　no　
danger　at　all　from　us；　if　she　sits　safely　behind　and　lets　the　newborns　wreak　their　havoc　here。　And　maybe　little　
danger　from　the　Volturi；　either。　Perhaps　she’s　counting　on　us　to　win；　in　the　end；　though　certainly　not　without　
heavy　casualties　of　our　own。　But　no　survivors　from　her　little　army　to　bear　witness　against　her。　In　fact；”　he　
continued；　thinking　it　through；　“if　there　were　survivors；　I’d　bet　she’d　be　planning　to　destroy　them　herself。　。　。　。　
Hmm。　Still；　she’d　have　to　have　at　least　one　friend　who　was　a　bit　more　mature。　No　freshmade　newborn　left　
your　father　alive。　。　。　。”　
He　frowned　into　space　for　a　long　moment；　and　then　suddenly　smiled　at　me；　ing　back　from　his　reverie。　
“Definitely　possible。　Regardless；　we’ve　got　to　be　prepared　for　anything　until　we　know　for　sure。　You’re　very　
perceptive　today；”　he　added。　“It’s　impressive。”　
I　sighed。　“Maybe　I’m　just　reacting　to　this　place。　It　makes　me　feel　like　she’s　close　by　。　。　。　like　she　sees　me　
now。”　
His　jaw　muscles　tensed　at　the　idea。　“She’ll　never　touch　you；　Bella；”　he　said。　
In　spite　of　his　words；　his　eyes　swept　carefully　across　the　dark　trees。　While　he　searched　their　shadows；　the　
strangest　expression　crossed　his　face。　His　lips　pulled　back　over　his　teeth　and　his　eyes　shone　with　an　odd　light　
—　a　wild；　fierce　kind　of　hope。　
“Yet；　what　I　wouldn’t　give　to　have　her　that　close；”　he　murmured。　“Victoria；　and　anyone　else　who’s　ever　
thought　of　hurting　you。　To　have　the　chance　to　end　this　myself。　To　finish　it　with　my　own　hands　this　time。”　
I　shuddered　at　the　ferocious　longing　in　his　voice；　and　clenched　his　fingers　more　tightly　with　mine；　wishing　I　
was　strong　enough　to　lock　our　hands　together　permanently。　
We　were　almost　to　his　family；　and　I　noticed　for　the　first　time　that　Alice　did　not　look　as　optimistic　as　the　
others。　She　stood　a　little　aside；　watching　Jasper　stretching　his　arms　as　if　he　were　warming　up　to　exercise；　her　
lips　pushed　out　in　a　pout。　
“Is　something　wrong　with　Alice？”　I　whispered。　
Edward　chuckled；　himself　again。　“The　werewolves　are　on　their　way；　so　she　can’t　see　anything　that　will　
happen　now。　It　makes　her　unfortable　to　be　blind。”　
Alice；　though　the　farthest　from　us；　heard　his　low　voice。　She　looked　up　and　stuck　her　tongue　out　at　him。　He　
laughed　again。　
“Hey；　Edward；”　Emmett　greeted　him。　“Hey；　Bella。　Is　he　going　to　let　you　practice；　too？”　
Edward　groaned　at　his　brother。　“Please；　Emmett；　don’t　give　her　any　ideas。”　
“When　will　our　guests　arrive？”　Carlisle　asked　Edward。　
Edward　concentrated　for　a　moment；　and　then　sighed。　“A　minute　and　a　half。　But　I’m　going　to　have　to　
translate。　They　don’t　trust　us　enough　to　use　their　human　forms。”　
Carlisle　nodded。　“This　is　hard　for　them。　I’m　grateful　they’re　ing　at　all。”　
I　stared　at　Edward；　my　eyes　stretched　wide。　“They’re　ing　as　wolves？”　
He　nodded；　cautious　of　my　reaction。　I　swallowed　once；　remembering　the　two　times　I’d　seen　Jacob　in　his　
wolf　form　—　the　first　time　in　the　meadow　with　Laurent；　the　second　time　on　the　forest　lane　where　Paul　had　
gotten　angry　at　me。　。　。　。　They　were　both　memories　of　terror。　
A　strange　gleam　came　into　Edward’s　eyes；　as　though　something　had　just　occurred　to　him；　something　that　
was　not　altogether　unpleasant。　He　turned　away　quickly；　before　I　could　see　any　more；　back　to　Carlisle　and　the　
others。　
“Prepare　yourselves　—　they’ve　been　holding　out　on　us。”　
“What　do　you　mean？”　Alice　demanded。　

“Shh；”　he　cautioned；　and　stared　past　her　into　the　darkness。　
The　Cullens’　informal　circle　suddenly　widened　out　into　a　loose　line　with　Jasper　and　Emmett　at　the　spear　
point。　From　the　way　Edward　leaned　forward　next　to　me；　I　could　tell　that　he　wished　he　was　standing　beside　
them。　I　tightened　my　hand　around　his。　
I　squinted　toward　the　forest；　seeing　nothing。　
“Damn；”　Emmett　muttered　under　his　breath。　“Did　you　ever　see　anything　like　it？”　
Esme　and　Rosalie　exchanged　a　wideeyed　glance。　
“What　is　it？”　I　whispered　as　quietly　as　I　could。　“I　can’t　see。”　
“The　pack　has　grown；”　Edward　murmured　into　my　ear。　
Hadn’t　I　told　him　that　Quil　had　joined　the　pack？　I　strained　to　see　the　six　wolves　in　the　gloom。　Finally；　
something　glittered　in　the　blackness　—　their　eyes；　higher　up　than　they　should　be。　I’d　forgotten　how　very　tall　the　
wolves　were。　Like　horses；　only　thick　with　muscle　and　fur　—　and　teeth　like　knives；　impossible　to　overlook。　
I　could　only　see　the　eyes。　And　as　I　scanned；　straining　to　see　more；　it　occurred　to　me　that　there　were　more　
than　six　pairs　facing　us。　One；　two；　three　。　。　。　I　counted　the　pairs　swiftly　in　my　head。　Twice。　
There　were　ten　of　them。　
“Fascinating；”　Edward　murmured　almost　silently。　
Carlisle　took　a　slow；　deliberate　step　forward。　It　was　a　careful　movement；　designed　to　reassure。　
“Wele；”　he　greeted　the　invisible　wolves。　
“Thank　you；”　Edward　responded　in　a　strange；　flat　tone；　and　I　realized　at　once　that　the　words　came　from　
Sam。　I　looked　to　the　eyes　shining　in　the　center　of　the　line；　the　highest　up；　the　tallest　of　them　all。　It　was　
impossible　to　separate　the　shape　of　the　big　black　wolf　from　the　darkness。　
Edward　spoke　again　in　the　same　detached　voice；　speaking　Sam’s　words。　“We　will　watch　and　listen；　but　
no　more。　That　is　the　most　we　can　ask　of　our　selfcontrol。”　
“That　is　more　than　enough；”　Carlisle　answered。　“My　son　Jasper”　—　he　gestured　to　where　Jasper　stood；　
tensed　and　ready　—　“has　experience　in　this　area。　He　will　teach　us　how　they　fight；　how　they　are　to　be　defeated。　
I’m　sure　you　can　apply　this　to　your　own　hunting　style。”　
“They　are　different　from　you？”　Edward　asked　for　Sam。　
Carlisle　nodded。　“They　are　all　very　new　—　only　months　old　to　this　life。　Children；　in　a　way。　They　will　have　
no　skill　or　strategy；　only　brute　strength。　Tonight　their　numbers　stand　at　twenty。　Ten　for　us；　ten　for　you　—　it　
shouldn’t　be　difficult。　The　numbers　may　go　down。　The　new　ones　fight　amongst　themselves。”　
A　rumble　passed　down　the　shadowy　line　of　wolves；　a　low　growling　mutter　that　somehow　managed　to　
sound　enthusiastic。　
“We　are　willing　to　take　more　than　our　share；　if　necessary；”　Edward　translated；　his　tone　less　indifferent　
now。　
Carlisle　smiled。　“We’ll　see　how　it　plays　out。”　
“Do　you　know　when　and　how　they’ll　arrive？”　
“They’ll　e　across　the　mountains　in　four　days；　in　the　late　morning。　As　they　approach；　Alice　will　help　us　
intercept　their　path。”　
“Thank　you　for　the　information。　We　will　watch。”　
With　a　sighing　sound；　the　eyes　sank　closer　to　the　ground　one　set　at　a　time。　
It　was　silent　for　two　heartbeats；　and　then　Jasper　took　a　step　into　the　empty　space　between　the　vampires　
and　the　wolves。　It　wasn’t　hard　for　me　to　see　him　—　his　skin　was　as　bright　against　the　darkness　as　the　wolves’　
eyes。　Jasper　threw　a　wary　glance　toward　Edward；　who　nodded；　and　then　Jasper　turned　his　back　to　the　
werewolves。　He　sighed；　clearly　unfortable。　
“Carlisle’s　right。”　Jasper　spoke　only　to　us；　he　seemed　to　be　trying　to　ignore　the　audience　behind　him。　
“They’ll　fight　like　children。　The　two　most　important　things　you’ll　need　to　remember　are；　first；　don’t　let　them　get　
their　arms　around　you　and；　second；　don’t　go　for　the　obvious　kill。　That’s　all　they’ll　be　prepared　for。　As　long　as　
you　e　at　them　from　the　side　and　keep　moving；　they’ll　be　too　confused　to　respond　effectively。　Emmett？”　
Emmett　stepped　out　of　the　line　with　a　huge　smile。　
Jasper　backed　toward　the　north　end　of　the　opening　between　the　allied　enemies。　He　waved　Emmett　
forward。　
“Okay；　Emmett　first。　He’s　the　best　example　of　a　newborn　attack。”　

Emmett’s　eyes　narrowed。　“I’ll　try　not　to　break　anything；”　he　muttered。　
Jasper　grinned。　“What　I　meant　is　that　Emmett　relies　on　his　strength。　He’s　very　straightforward　about　the　
attack。　The　newborns　won’t　be　trying　anything　subtle；　either。　Just　go　for　the　easy　kill；　Emmett。”　
Jasper　backed　up　a　few　more　paces；　his　body　tensing。　
“Okay；　Emmett　—　try　to　catch　me。”　
And　I　couldn’t　see　Jasper　anymore　—　he　was　a　blur　as　Emmett　charged　him　like　a　bear；　grinning　while　he　
snarled。　Emmett　was　impossibly　quick；　too；　but　not　like　Jasper。　It　looked　like　Jasper　had　no　more　substance　
than