4 breaking dawn破晓-第37部分

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〃Hey；　Jake's　ing　around！〃　Seth　crowed。　

He　was　sitting　on　Bella's　other　side；　his　arm　slung　carelessly　over　her　shoulders；　an　overflowing　plate　of　
food　on　his　lap。　

What　the　hell？　

〃He　came　to　find　you；〃　Edward　said　while　I　got　to　my　feet。　〃And　Esme　convinced　him　to　stay　for　
breakfast。〃　

Seth　took　in　my　expression；　and　he　hurried　to　explain。　〃Yeah；　Jake—I　was　just　checking　to　see　if　you　
were　okay　'cause　you　didn't　ever　phase　back。　Leah　got　worried。　I　told　her　you　probably　just　crashed　
human；　but　you　know　how　she　is。　Anyway；　they　had　all　this　food　and；　dang；〃—he　turned　to　
Edward—〃man；　you　can　cook〃　

〃Thank　you；〃　Edward　murmured。　

I　inhaled　slowly；　trying　to　unclench　my　teeth。　I　couldn't　take　my　eyes　off　Seth's　arm。　

〃Bella　got　cold；〃　Edward　said　quietly。　

Right。　None　of　my　business；　anyway。　She　didn't　belong　to　me。　

Seth　heard　Edward's　ment；　looked　at　my　face；　and　suddenly　he　needed　both　hands　to　eat　with。　He　
took　his　arm　off　Bella　and　dug　in。　i　walked　over　to　stand　a　few　feet　from　the　couch；　still　trying　to　get　my　
bearings。　

〃Leah　running　patrol？〃　I　asked　Seth。　My　voice　was　still　thick　with　sleep。　

〃Yeah；〃　he　said　as　he　chewed。　Seth　had　new　clothes　on；　too。　They　fit　him　better　than　mine　fit　me。　〃She's　
on　it。　No　worries。　She'll　howl　if　there's　anything。　We　traded　off　around　midnight。　I　ran　twelve　hours。〃　He　
was　proud　of　that；　and　it　showed　in　his　tone。　

〃Midnight？　Wait　a　minute—what　time　is　it　now？〃　

〃'Bout　dawn。〃　He　glanced　toward　the　window；　checking。　

Well；　damn。　I'd　slept　through　the　rest　of　the　day　and　the　whole　night—dropped　the　ball。　〃Crap。　Sorry　
about　that；　Seth。　Really。　You　shoulda　kicked　me　awake。〃　

〃Naw；　man；　you　needed　some　serious　sleep。　You　haven't　taken　a　break　since　when？　Night　before　your　
last　patrol　for　Sam？　Like　forty　hours？　Fifty？　You're　not　a　machine；　Jake。　'Sides；　you　didn't　miss　anything　
at　all。〃　



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Nothing　at　all？　I　glanced　quickly　at　Bella。　Her　color　was　back　to　the　way　I　remembered　it。　Pale；　but　with　
the　rose　undertone。　Her　lips　were　pink　again。　Even　her　hair　looked　better—shinier。　She　saw　me　
appraising　and　gave　me　a　qrin。　

〃How's　the　rib？〃　I　asked。　

〃Taped　up　nice　and　tight；　i　don't　even　feel　it。'7　

I　rolled　my　eyes。　I　heard　Edward　grind　his　teeth　together；　and　I　figured　her　blowitoff　attitude　bugged　
him　as　much　at　it　bugged　me。　

〃What's　for　breakfast？〃　I　asked；　a　little　sarcastic。　〃O　negative　or　AB　positive？〃　

She　stuck　her　tongue　out　at　me。　Totally　herself　again。　〃Omelets；〃　she　said；　but　her　eyes　darted　down；　
and　I　saw　that　her　cup　of　blood　was　wedged　between　her　leg　and　Edward's。　

〃Go　get　some　breakfast；　Jake；〃　Seth　said。　〃There's　a　bunch　in　the　kitchen。　You've　got　to　be　empty。〃　

I　examined　the　food　in　his　lap。　Looked　like　half　a　cheese　omelet　and　the　last　fourth　of　a　Frisbeesized　
cinnamon　roll。　My　stomach　growled；　but　I　ignored　it。　

〃What's　Leah　having　for　breakfast？〃　I　asked　Seth　critically。　

〃Hey；　I　took　food　to　her　before　I　ate　anything〃　he　defended　himself。　〃She　said　she'd　rather　eat　roadkill；　
but　I　bet　she　caves。　These　cinnamon　rolls。。。　〃　He　seemed　at　a　loss　for　words。　

'Til　go　hunt　with　her；　then。〃　

Seth　sighed　as　I　turned　to　leave。　

〃A　moment；　Jacob？〃　

It　was　Carlisle　asking；　so　when　I　turned　around　again；　my　face　was　probably　less　disrespectful　than　it　
would　have　been　if　anyone　else　had　stopped　me。　

〃Yeah？〃　

Carlisle　approached　me　while　Esme　drifted　off　toward　the　other　room。　He　stopped　a　few　feet　away；　just　
a　little　bit　farther　away　than　the　normal　space　between　two　humans　having　a　conversation。　I　appreciated　
him　giving　me　my　space。　

〃Speaking　of　hunting；〃　he　began　in　a　somber　tone。　〃That's　going　to　be　an　issue　for　my　family。　I　
understand　that　our　previous　truce　is　inoperative　at　the　moment；　so　I　wanted　your　advice。　Will　Sam　be　
hunting　for　us　outside　of　the　perimeter　you've　created？　We　don't　want　to　take　a　chance　with　hurting　any　
of　your　family—or　losing　any　of　ours。　If　you　were　in　our　shoes；　how　would　you　proceed？〃　

I　leaned　away；　a　little　surprised；　when　he　threw　it　back　at　me　like　that。　What　would　I　know　about　being　
in　a　bloodsucker's　expensive　shoes？　But；　then　again；　I　did　know　Sam。　

〃It's　a　risk；〃　I　said；　trying　to　ignore　the　other　eyes　I　felt　on　me　and　to　talk　only　to　him。　〃Sam's　calmed　



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down　some；　but　I'm　pretty　sure　that　in　his　head；　the　treaty　is　void。　As　long　as　he　thinks　the　tribe；　or　any　
other　human；　is　in　real　danger；　he's　not　going　to　ask　questions　first；　if　you　know　what　I　mean。　But；　with　all　
that；　his　priority　is　going　to　be　La　Push。　There　really　aren't　enough　of　them　to　keep　a　decent　watch　on　the　
people　while　putting　out　hunting　parties　big　enough　to　do　much　damage。　I'd　bet　he's　keeping　it　close　to　
home。〃　

Carlisle　nodded　thoughtfully。　

〃So　I　guess　I'd　say；　go　out　together；　just　in　case。　And　probably　you　should　go　in　the　day；　'cause　we'd　be　

expecting　night。　Traditional　vampire　stuff。　You're　fast—go　over　the　mountains　and　hunt　far　enough　away　
that　there's　no　chance　he'd　send　anyone　that　far　from　home。〃　

〃And　leave　Bella　behind；　unprotected？〃　

I　snorted。　〃What　are　we；　chopped　liver？〃　

Carlisle　laughed；　and　then　his　face　was　serious　again。　〃Jacob；　you　can't　fight　against　your　brothers。〃　

My　eyes　tightened。　〃I'm　not　saying　it　wouldn't　be　hard；　but　if　they　were　really　ing　to　kill　her—I　
would　be　able　to　stop　them。〃　

Carlisle　shook　his　head；　anxious。　〃No；　I　didn't　mean　that　you　would　be。。。　incapable。　But　that　it　would　be　
very　wrong。　I　can't　have　that　on　my　conscience。〃　

〃It　wouldn't　be　on　yours；　Doc。　It　would　be　on　mine。　And　I　can　take　it。〃　

〃No；　Jacob。　We　will　make　sure　that　our　actions　don't　make　that　a　necessity。〃　He　frowned　thoughtfully　
〃We'll　go　three　at　a　time；〃　he　decided　after　a　second。　〃That's　probably　the　best　we　can　do。〃　

〃I　don't　know；　Doc。　Dividing　down　the　middle　isn't　the　best　strategy。〃　

〃We've　got　some　extra　abilities　that　will　even　it　up。　If　Edward　is　one　of　the　three；　he'll　be　able　to　give　us　
a　few　miles'　radius　of　safety。〃　

We　both　glanced　at　Edward。　His　expression　had　Carlisle　backtracking　quickly。　

〃I'm　sure　there　are　other　ways；　too；〃　Carlisle　said。　Clearly；　there　was　no　physical　need　strong　enough　to　
get　Edward　away　from　Bella　now。　〃Alice；　I　would　imagine　you　could　see　which　routes　would　be　a　
mistake？〃　

〃The　ones　that　disappear；〃　Alice　said；　nodding。　〃Easy。〃　

Edward；　who　had　gone　all　tense　with　Carlisle's　first　plan；　loosened　up。　Bella　was　staring　unhappily　at　
Alice；　that　little　crease　between　her　eyes　that　she　got　when　she　was　stressed　out。　

〃Okay；　then；〃　I　said。　〃That's　settled。　I'll　just　be　on　my　way。　Seth；　I'll　expect　you　back　on　at　dusk；　so　get　
a　nap　in　there　somewhere；　all　right？〃　

〃Sure；　Jake。　I'll　phase　back　soon　as　I'm　done。　Unless　。。。〃　he　hesitated；　looking　at　Bella。　〃Do　you　need　
me？〃　



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〃She's　got　blankets；〃　I　snapped　at　him。　

〃I'm　fine；　Seth；　thanks；〃　Bella　said　quickly。　

And　then　Esme　flitted　back　in　the　room；　a　big　covered　dish　in　her　hands。　She　stopped　hesitantly　just　
behind　Carlisle's　elbow；　her　wide；　dark　gold　eyes　on　my　face。　She　held　the　dish　out　and　took　a　shy　step　
closer。　

〃Jacob；〃　she　said　quietly。　Her　voice　wasn't　quite　so　piercing　as　the　others'。　〃I　know　it's。。。　unappetizing　to　
you；　the　idea　of　eating　here；　where　it　smells　so　unpleasant。　But　I　would　feel　much　better　if　you　would　take　
some　food　with　you　when　you　go。　I　know　you　can't　go　home；　and　that's　because　of　us。　Please—ease　
some　of　my　remorse。　Take　something　to　eat。〃　She　held　the　food　out　to　me；　her　face　all　soft　and　pleading。　
I　don't　know　how　she　did　it；　because　she　didn't　look　older　than　her　midtwenties；　and　she　was　bone　pale；　
too；　but　something　about　her　expression　suddenly　reminded　me　of　my　mom。　

Jeez。　

〃Uh；　sure；　sure；〃　I　mumbled。　〃I　guess。　Maybe　Leah's　still　hungry　or　something。〃　

I　reached　out　and　took　the　food　with　one　hand；　holding　it　away；　at　arm's　length。　I'd　go　dump　it　under　a　
tree　or　something。　I　didn't　want　her　to　feel　bad。　

Then　I　remembered　Edward。　

Don't　you　say　anything　to　her！　Let　her　think　I　ate　it。　

I　didn't　look　at　him　to　see　if　he　was　in　agreement。　He'd　better　be　in　agreement。　Bloodsucker　owed　me。　

〃Thank　you；　Jacob；〃　Esme　said；　smiling　at　me。　How　did　a　stone　face　have　dimples；　for　crying　out　loud？　

〃Urn；　thank　you；〃　I　said。　My　face　felt　hot—hotter　than　usual。　

This　was　the　problem　with　hanging　out　with　vampires—you　got　used　to　them。　They　started　messing　up　
the　way　you　saw　the　world。　They　started　feeling　like　friends。　

〃Will　you　e　back　later；　Jake？〃　Bella　asked　as　I　tried　to　make　a　run　for　it。　

〃Uh；　I　don't　know。〃　

She　pressed　her　lips　together；　like　she　was　trying　not　to　smile。　〃Please？　I　might　get　cold。〃　

I　inhaled　deeply　through　my　nose；　and　then　realized；　too　late；　that　that　was　not　a　good　idea。　I　winced。　
〃Maybe。〃　

〃Jacob？〃　Esme　asked。　I　backed　toward　the　door　as　she　continued；　she　took　a　few　steps　after　me。　〃I　left　
a　basket　of　clothes　on　the　porch。　They're　for　Leah。　They're　freshly　washed—I　tried　to　touch　them　as　little　
as　possible。〃　She　frowned。　〃Do　you　mind　taking　them　to　her？〃　

〃On　it；〃　I　muttered；　and　then　I　ducked　out　the　door　before　anyone　could　guilt　me　into　anything　else。　




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15。　TICK　TOCK　TICK　TOCK　TICK　TOCK　

Hey　Jake；　thought　you　said　you　wanted　me　at　dusk。　How　e　you　didn't　have　Leah　wake　me　up　
before　she　crashed？　

'Cause　I　didn't　need　you。　I'm　still　good。　

He　was　already　picking　up　the　north　half　of　the　circle。　Anything？　

Nope。　Nothing　but　nothing。　

You　did　some　scouting？　

He'dcaught　the　edge　of　one　of　my　side　trips。　He　headed　up　the　new　trail。　

Yeah—　ran　a　few　spokes。　You　know；　just　checking。　If　the　Cullens　are　going　to　make　a　hunting　
trip。。。　

Good　call。　

Seth　looped　back　toward　the　main　perimeter。　

It　was　easier　to　run　with　him　than　it　was　to　do　the　same　with　Leah。　Though　she　was　trying—trying　
hard—there　was　always　an　edge　to　her　thoughts。　She　didn't　want　to　be　here。　She　didn't　want　to　feel　the　
softening　toward　the　vampires　that　was　going　on　in　my　head。　She　didn't　want　to　deal　with　Seth's　cozy　
friendship　with　them；　a　friendship　that　was　only　getting　stronger。　

Funny；　though；　I'd've　thought　her　biggest　issue　would　just　be　me。　We'd　always　gotten　on　each　other's　
nerves　when　we　were　in　Sam's　pack。　But　there　was　no　antagonism　toward　me　now　at　all；　just　the　Cullens　
andBella。　I　wondered　why。　Maybe　it　was　simply　gratitude　that　I　wasn't　forcing　her　to　leave。　Maybe　it　
was　because　I　understood　her　hostility　better　now。　Whichever；　running　with　Leah　wasn't　nearly　as　bad　as　
I'd　expected。　

Of　course；　she　hadn't　eased　up　that　much。　The　food　and　clothes　Esme　had　sent　for　her　were　all　taking　a　
trip　downriver　right　now。　Even　after　I'd　eaten　my　share—not　because　it　smelled　nearly　irresistible　away　
from　the　vampire