3 eclipse月食-第66部分

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you　choose　between　us。　Just　be　happy；　and　you　can　have　whatever　part　of　me　you　want；　or　none　at　all；　if　
that’s　better。　Don’t　let　any　debt　you　feel　you　owe　me　influence　your　decision。”　
I　pushed　off　the　floor；　shoving　myself　up　onto　my　knees。　
“Dammit；　stop　that！”　I　shouted　at　him。　
His　eyes　widened　in　surprise。　“No　—　you　don’t　understand。　I’m　not　just　trying　to　make　you　feel　better；　
Bella；　I　really　mean　it。”　
“I　know　you　do；”　I　groaned。　“What　happened　to　fighting　back？　Don’t　start　with　the　noble　selfsacrifice　
now！　Fight！”　
“How？”　he　asked；　and　his　eyes　were　ancient　with　their　sadness。　
I　scrambled　into　his　lap；　throwing　my　arms　around　him。　
“I　don’t　care　that　it’s　cold　here。　I　don’t　care　that　I　stink　like　a　dog　right　now。　Make　me　forget　how　awful　I　
am。　Make　me　forget　him。　Make　me　forget　my　own　name。　Fight　back！”　
I　didn’t　wait　for　him　to　decide　—　or　to　have　the　chance　to　tell　me　he　wasn’t　interested　in　a　cruel；　faithless　
monster　like　me。　I　pulled　myself　against　him　and　crushed　my　mouth　to　his　snowcold　lips。　
“Careful；　love；”　he　murmured　under　my　urgent　kiss。　
“No；”　I　growled。　
He　gently　pushed　my　face　a　few　inches　back。　“You　don’t　have　to　prove　anything　to　me。”　
“I’m　not　trying　to　prove　something。　You　said　I　could　have　any　part　of　you　I　wanted。　I　want　this　part。　I　
want　every　part。”　I　wrapped　my　arms　around　his　neck　and　strained　to　reach　his　lips。　He　bent　his　head　to　kiss　
me　back；　but　his　cool　mouth　was　hesitant　as　my　impatience　grew　more　pronounced。　My　body　was　making　my　
intentions　clear；　giving　me　away。　Inevitably；　his　hands　moved　to　restrain　me。　
“Perhaps　this　isn’t　the　best　moment　for　that；”　he　suggested；　too　calm　for　my　liking。　
“Why　not？”　I　grumbled。　There　was　no　point　in　fighting　if　he　was　going　to　be　rational；　I　dropped　my　arms。　
“Firstly；　because　it　is　cold。”　He　reached　out　to　pull　the　sleeping　bag　off　the　floor；　he　wrapped　it　around　me　
like　a　blanket。　
“Wrong；”　I　said。　“First；　because　you　are　bizarrely　moral　for　a　vampire。”　
He　chuckled。　“All　right；　I’ll　give　you　that。　The　cold　is　second。　And　thirdly　。　。　。　well；　you　do　actually　stink；　
love。”　
He　wrinkled　his　nose。　
I　sighed。　
“Fourthly；”　he　murmured；　dropping　his　face　so　that　he　was　whispering　in　my　ear。　“We　will　try；　Bella。　I’ll　
make　good　on　my　promise。　But　I’d　much　rather　it　wasn’t　in　reaction　to　Jacob　Black。”　
I　cringed；　and　buried　my　face　against　his　shoulder。　
“And　fifthly　。　。　。”　

“This　is　a　very　long　list；”　I　muttered。　
He　laughed。　“Yes；　but　did　you　want　to　listen　to　the　fight　or　not？”　
As　he　spoke；　Seth　howled　stridently　outside　the　tent。　
My　body　stiffened　to　the　sound。　I　didn’t　realize　my　left　hand　was　clenched　into　a　fist；　nails　biting　into　my　
bandaged　palm；　until　Edward　took　it　and　gently　smoothed　my　fingers　out。　
“It’s　going　to　be　fine；　Bella；”　he　promised。　“We’ve　got　skill；　training；　and　surprise　on　our　side。　It　will　be　
over　very　soon。　If　I　didn’t　truly　believe　that；　I　would　be　down　there　now　—　and　you’d　be　here；　chained　to　a　
tree　or　something　along　those　lines。”　
“Alice　is　so　small；”　I　moaned。　
He　chuckled。　“That　might　be　a　problem　。　。　。　if　it　were　possible　for　someone　to　catch　her。”　
Seth　started　to　whimper。　
“What’s　wrong？”　I　demanded。　
“He’s　just　angry　that　he’s　stuck　here　with　us。　He　knows　the　pack　kept　him　out　of　the　action　to　protect　
him。　He’s　salivating　to　join　them。”　
I　scowled　in　Seth’s　general　direction。　
“The　newborns　have　reached　the　end　of　the　trail　—　it　worked　like　a　charm；　Jasper’s　a　genius　—　and　
they’ve　caught　the　scent　of　the　ones　in　the　meadow；　so　they’re　splitting　into　two　groups　now；　as　Alice　said；”　
Edward　murmured；　his　eyes　focused　on　something　far　away。　“Sam’s　taking　us　around　to　head　off　the　ambush　
party。”　He　was　so　intent　on　what　he　was　hearing　that　he　used　the　pack　plural。　
Suddenly　he　looked　down　at　me。　“Breathe；　Bella。”　
I　struggled　to　do　what　he　asked。　I　could　hear　Seth’s　heavy　panting　just　outside　the　tent　wall；　and　I　tried　to　
keep　my　lungs　on　the　same　even　pace；　so　that　I　wouldn’t　hyperventilate。　
“The　first　group　is　in　the　clearing。　We　can　hear　the　fighting。”　
My　teeth　locked　together。　
He　laughed　once。　“We　can　hear　Emmett　—　he’s　enjoying　himself。”　
I　made　myself　take　another　breath　with　Seth。　
“The　second　group　is　getting　ready　—　they　aren’t　paying　attention；　they　haven’t　heard　us　yet。”　
Edward　growled。　
“What？”　I　gasped。　
“They’re　talking　about　you。”　His　teeth　clenched　together。　“They’re　supposed　to　make　sure　you　don’t　
escape。　。　。　。　Nice　move；　Leah！　Mmm；　she’s　quite　fast；”　he　murmured　in　approval。　“One　of　the　newborns　
caught　our　scent；　and　Leah　took　him　down　before　he　could　even　turn。　Sam’s　helping　her　finish　him　off。　Paul　
and　Jacob　got　another　one；　but　the　others　are　on　the　defensive　now。　They　have　no　idea　what　to　make　of　us。　
Both　sides　are　feinting。　。　。　。　No；　let　Sam　lead。　Stay　out　of　the　way；”　he　muttered。　“Separate　them　—　don’t　let　
them　protect　each　other’s　backs。”　
Seth　whined。　
“That’s　better；　drive　them　toward　the　clearing；”　Edward　approved。　His　body　was　shifting　unconsciously　as　
he　watched；　tensing　for　moves　he　would　have　made。　His　hands　still　held　mine；　I　twisted　my　fingers　through　his。　
At　least　he　wasn’t　down　there。　
The　sudden　absence　of　sound　was　the　only　warning。　
The　deep　rush　of　Seth’s　breathing　cut　off；　and　—　as　I’d　paced　my　breaths　with　his　—　I　noticed。　
I　stopped　breathing；　too　—　too　frightened　to　even　make　mylungs　work　as　I　realized　that　Edward　had　
frozen　into　a　block　of　ice　beside　me。　
Oh；　no。　No。　No。　
Who　had　been　lost？　Theirs　or　ours？　Mine；　all　mine。　What　was　my　loss？　
So　quickly　that　I　wasn’t　exactly　sure　how　it　happened；　I　was　on　my　feet　and　the　tent　was　collapsing　in　
ragged　shreds　around　me。　Had　Edward　ripped　our　way　out？　Why？　
I　blinked；　shocked；　into　the　brilliant　light。　Seth　was　all　I　could　see；　right　beside　us；　his　face　only　six　inches　
from　Edward’s。　They　stared　at　each　other　with　absolute　concentration　for　one　infinite　second。　The　sun　
shattered　off　Edward’s　skin　and　sent　sparkles　dancing　across　Seth’s　fur。　
And　then　Edward　whispered　urgently；　“Go；　Seth！”　
The　huge　wolf　wheeled　and　disappeared　into　the　forest　shadows。　

　Had　two　entire　seconds　passed？　It　felt　like　hours。　I　was　terrified　to　the　point　of　nausea　by　the　knowledge　
that　something　horrible　had　gone　awry　in　the　clearing。　I　opened　my　mouth　to　demand　that　Edward　take　me　
there；　and　do　it　now。　They　needed　him；　and　they　needed　me。　If　I　had　to　bleed　to　save　them；　I　would　do　it。　I　
would　die　to　do　it；　like　the　third　wife。　I　had　no　silver　dagger　in　my　hand；　but　I　would　find　a　way　—　
　Before　I　could　get　the　first　syllable　out；　I　felt　as　if　I　was　being　flung　through　the　air。　But　Edward’s　hands　
never　let　go　of　me　—　I　was　only　being　moved；　so　quickly　that　the　sensation　was　like　falling　sideways。　
　I　found　myself　with　my　back　pressed　against　the　sheer　cliff　face。　Edward　stood　in　front　of　me；　holding　a　
posture　that　I　knew　at　once。　
　Relief　washed　through　my　mind　at　the　same　time　that　my　stomach　dropped　through　the　soles　of　my　feet。　
　I’d　misunderstood。　
　Relief　—　nothing　had　gone　wrong　in　the　clearing。　
　Horror　—　the　crisis　was　here。　
　Edward　held　a　defensive　position　—　halfcrouched；　his　arms　extended　slightly　—　that　I　recognized　with　
sickening　certainty。　The　rock　at　my　back　could　have　been　the　ancient　brick　walls　of　the　Italian　alley　where　he　
had　stood　between　me　and　the　blackcloaked　Volturi　warriors。　
　Something　was　ing　for　us。　
　“Who？”　I　whispered。　
　The　words　came　through　his　teeth　in　a　snarl　that　was　louder　than　I　expected。　Too　loud。　It　meant　that　it　was　
far　too　late　to　hide。　We　were　trapped；　and　it　didn’t　matter　who　heard　his　answer。　
　“Victoria；”　he　said；　spitting　the　word；　making　it　a　curse。　“She’s　not　alone。　She　crossed　my　scent；　following　
the　newborns　in　to　watch　—　she　never　meant　to　fight　with　them。　She　made　a　spurofthemoment　decision　to　
find　me；　guessing　that　you　would　be　wherever　I　was。　She　was　right。　You　were　right。　It　was　always　Victoria。”　
　She　was　close　enough　that　he　could　hear　her　thoughts。　
　Relief　again。　If　it　had　been　the　Volturi；　we　were　both　dead。　But　with　Victoria；　it　didn’t　have　to　be　both。　
Edward　could　survive　this。　He　was　a　good　fighter；　as　good　as　Jasper。　If　she　didn’t　bring　too　many　others；　he　
could　fight　his　way　out；　back　to　his　family。　Edward　was　faster　than　anyone。　He　could　make　it。　
　I　was　so　glad　he’d　sent　Seth　away。　Of　course；　there　was　no　one　Seth　could　run　to　for　help。　Victoria　had　
timed　her　decision　perfectly。　But　at　least　Seth　was　safe；　I　couldn’t　see　the　huge　sandy　wolf　in　my　head　when　I　
thought　his　name　—　just　the　gangly　fifteenyearold　boy。　
　Edward’s　body　shifted　—　only　infinitesimally；　but　it　told　me　where　to　look。　I　stared　at　the　black　shadows　
of　the　forest。　
　It　was　like　having　my　nightmares　walk　forward　to　greet　me。　
　Two　vampires　edged　slowly　into　the　small　opening　of　our　camp；　eyes　intent；　missing　nothing。　They　
glistened　like　diamonds　in　the　sun。　
　I　could　barely　look　at　the　blond　boy　—　yes；　he　was　just　a　boy；　though　he　was　muscular　and　tall；　maybe　
my　age　when　he　was　changed。　His　eyes　—　a　more　vivid　red　than　I　had　ever　seen　before　—　could　not　hold　
mine。　Though　he　was　closest　to　Edward；　the　nearest　danger；　I　could　not　watch　him。　
　Because；　a　few　feet　to　the　side　and　a　few　feet　back；　Victoria　was　staring　at　me。　
　Her　orange　hair　was　brighter　than　I’d　remembered；　more　like　a　flame。　There　was　no　wind　here；　but　the　
fire　around　her　face　seemed　to　shimmer　slightly；　as　if　it　were　alive。　
　Her　eyes　were　black　with　thirst。　She　did　not　smile；　as　she　always　had　in　my　nightmares　—　her　lips　were　
pressed　into　a　tight　line。　There　was　a　striking　feline　quality　to　the　way　she　held　her　coiled　body；　a　lioness　
waiting　for　an　opening　to　spring。　Her　restless；　wild　gaze　flickered　between　Edward　and　me；　but　never　rested　
on　him　for　more　than　a　halfsecond。　She　could　not　keep　her　eyes　from　my　face　any　more　than　I　could　keep　
mine　from　hers。　
　Tension　rolled　off　of　her；　nearly　visible　in　the　air。　I　could　feel　the　desire；　the　allconsuming　passion　that　held　
her　in　its　grip。　Almost　as　if　I　could　hear　her　thoughts；　too；　I　knew　what　she　was　thinking。　
　She　was　so　close　to　what　she　wanted　—　the　focus　of　her　whole　existence　for　more　than　a　year　now　was　
just　so　close。　
　My　death。　
　Her　plan　was　as　obvious　as　it　was　practical。　The　big　blond　boy　would　attack　Edward。　As　soon　as　Edward　
was　sufficiently　distracted；　Victoria　would　finish　me。　

　It　would　be　quick　—　she　had　no　time　for　games　here　—　but　it　would　be　thorough。　Something　that　it　would　
be　impossible　to　recover　from。　Something　that　even　vampire　venom　could　not　repair。　
　She’d　have　to　stop　my　heart。　Perhaps　a　hand　shoved　through　my　chest；　crushing　it。　Something　along　those　
lines。　
　My　heart　beat　furiously；　loudly；　as　if　to　make　her　target　more　obvious。　
　An　immense　distance　away；　from　far　across　the　black　forest；　a　wolf’s　howl　echoed　in　the　still　air。　With　
Seth　gone；　there　was　no　way　to　interpret　the　sound。　
　The　blond　boy　looked　at　Victoria　from　the　corner　of　his　eye；　waiting　on　her　mand。　
　He　was　young　in　more　ways　than　on