2 new+moon新月-第56部分

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of　thinner；　interlaced　bars　was　standing　open。　Edward　ducked　through　and　hurried　on　to　a　larger；　brighter　
stone　room。　The　grille　slammed　shut　with　a　clang；　followed　by　the　snap　of　a　lock。　I　was　too　afraid　to　
look　behind　me。　

On　the　other　side　of　the　long　room　was　a　low；　heavy　wooden　door。　It　was　very　thick—as　I　could　tell　
because　it；　too；　stood　open。　

We　stepped　through　the　door；　and　I　glanced　around　me　in　surprise；　relaxing　automatically。　Beside　me；　
Edward　tensed；　his　jaw　clenched　tight。　

21　VERDICT　




WE　WERE　IN　A　BRIGHTLY　LIT；　UNREMARKABLE　HALLWAY。　The　walls　were　offwhite；　the　
floor　carpeted　in　industrial　gray。　mon　rectangular　fluorescent　lights　were　spaced　evenly　along　the　
ceiling。　It　was　warmer　here；　for　which　I　was　grateful。　This　hall　seemed　very　benign　after　the　gloom　of　the　
ghoulish　stone　sewers。　

Edward　didn't　seem　to　agree　with　my　assessment。　He　glowered　darkly　down　the　long　hallway；　toward　
the　slight；　black　shrouded　figure　at　the　end；　standing　by　an　elevator。　

He　pulled　me　along；　and　Alice　walked　on　my　other　side。　The　heavy　door　creaked　shut　behind　us；　and　
then　there　was　the　thud　of　a　bolt　sliding　home。　

Jane　waited　by　the　elevator；　one　hand　holding　the　doors　open　for　us。　Her　expression　was　apathetic。　

Once　inside　the　elevator；　the　three　vampires　that　belonged　to　the　Volturi　relaxed　further。　They　threw　
back　their　cloaks；　letting　the　hoods　fall　back　on　their　shoulders。　Felix　and　Demetri　were　both　of　a　slightly　
olive　plexion—it　looked　odd　bined　with　their　chalky　pallor。　Felix's　black　hair　was　cropped　short；　
but　Demetri's　waved　to　his　shoulders。　Their　irises　were　deep　crimson　around　the　edges；　darkening　until　
they　were　black　around　the　pupil。　Under　the　shrouds；　their　clothes　were　modern；　pale；　and　nondescript。　I　
cowered　in　the　corner；　cringing　against　Edward。　His　hand　still　rubbed　against　my　arm。　He　never　took　his　
eyes　off　Jane。　

The　elevator　ride　was　short；　we　stepped　out　into　what　looked　like　a　posh　office　reception　area。　The　walls　
were　paneled　in　wood；　the　floors　carpeted　in　thick；　deep　green。　There　were　no　windows；　but　large；　
brightly　lit　paintings　of　the　Tuscan　countryside　hung　everywhere　as　replacements。　Pale　leather　couches　
were　arranged　in　cozy　groupings；　and　the　glossy　tables　held　crystal　vases　full　of　vibrantly　colored　
bouquets。　The　flowers'　smell　reminded　me　of　a　funeral　home。　

In　the　middle　of　the　room　was　a　high；　polished　mahogany　counter。　I　gawked　in　astonishment　at　the　
woman　behind　it。　

She　was　tall；　with　dark　skin　and　green　eyes。　She　would　have　been　very　pretty　in　any　other　
pany—but　not　here。　Because　she　was　every　bit　as　human　as　I　was。　I　couldn't　prehend　what　this　
human　woman　was　doing　here；　totally　at　ease；　surrounded　by　vampnes。　

She　smiled　politely　in　wele。　〃Good　afternoon；　Jane；〃　she　said。　There　was　no　surprise　in　her　face　as　
she　glanced　at　Jane's　pany。　Not　Edward；　his　bare　chest　glinting　dimly　in　the　white　lights；　or　even　me；　
disheveled　and　paratively　hideous。　

Jane　nodded。　〃Gianna。〃　She　continued　toward　a　set　of　double　doors　in　the　back　of　the　room；　and　we　
followed。　

As　Felix　passed　the　desk；　he　winked　at　Gianna；　and　she　giggled。　

On　the　other　side　of　the　wooden　doors　was　a　different　kind　of　reception。　The　pale　boy　in　the　pearl　gray　
suit　could　have　been　Jane's　twin。　His　hair　was　darker；　and　his　lips　were　not　as　full；　but　he　was　just　as　
lovely。　He　came　forward　to　meet　us。　He　smiled；　reaching　for　her。　〃Jane。〃　

〃Alec；〃　she　responded；　embracing　the　boy。　They　kissed　each　other's　cheeks　on　both　sides。　Then　he　
looked　at　us。　

〃They　send　you　out　for　one　and　you　e　back　with　two…　and　a　half；〃　he　noted；　looking　at　me。　〃Nice　
work。〃　

She　laughed—the　sound　sparkled　with　delight　like　a　baby's　cooing。　

〃Wele　back；　Edward；〃　Alec　greeted　him。　〃You　seem　in　a　better　mood。〃　

〃Marginally；〃　Edward　agreed　in　a　flat　voice。　I　glanced　at　Edward's　hard　face；　and　wondered　how　his　
mood　could　have　been　darker　before。　

Alec　chuckled；　and　examined　me　as　I　clung　to　Edward's　side。　〃And　this　is　the　cause　of　all　the　trouble？〃　
he　asked；　skeptical。　

Edward　only　smiled；　his　expression　contemptuous。　Then　he　froze。　

〃Dibs；〃　Felix　called　casually　from　behind。　

Edward　turned；　a　low　snarl　building　deep　in　his　chest。　Felix　smiled—his　hand　was　raised；　palm　up；　he　
curled　his　fingers　twice；　inviting　Edward　forward。　

Alice　touched　Edward's　arm。　〃Patience；〃　she　cautioned　him。　

They　exchanged　a　long　glance；　and　I　wished　I　could　hear　what　she　was　telling　him。　I　figured　that　it　was　
something　to　do　with　not　attacking　Felix；　because　Edward　took　a　deep　breath　and　turned　back　to　Alec。　

〃Aro　will　be　so　pleased　to　see　you　again；〃　Alec　said；　as　if　nothing　had　passed。　

〃Let's　not　keep　him　waiting；〃　Jane　suggested。　

Edward　nodded　once。　

Alec　and　Jane；　holding　hands；　led　the　way　down　yet　another　wide；　ornate　hall—would　there　ever　be　an　
end？　

They　ignored　the　doors　at　the　end　of　the　hall—doors　entirely　sheathed　in　gold—stopping　halfway　down　
the　hall　and　sliding　aside　a　piece　of　the　paneling　to　expose　a　plain　wooden　door。　It　wasn't　locked。　Alec　
held　it　open　for　Jane。　

I　wanted　to　groan　when　Edward　pulled　me　through　to　the　other　side　of　the　door。　It　was　the　same　ancient　
stone　as　the　square；　the　alley；　and　the　sewers。　And　it　was　dark　and　cold　again。　

The　stone　antechamber　was　not　large。　It　opened　quickly　into　a　brighter；　cavernous　room；　perfectly　round　
like　a　huge　castle　turret…　which　was　probably　exactly　what　it　was。　

Two　stories　up；　long　window　slits　threw　thin　rectangles　of　bright　sunlight　onto　the　stone　floor　below。　
There　were　no　artificial　lights。　The　only　furniture　in　the　room　were　several　massive　wooden　chairs；　like　
thrones；　that　were　spaced　unevenly；　flush　with　the　curving　stone　walls。　In　the　very　center　of　the　circle；　in　a　
slight　depression；　was　another　drain。　I　wondered　if　they　used　it　as　an　exit；　like　the　hole　in　the　street。　

The　room　was　not　empty。　A　handful　of　people　were　convened　in　seemingly　relaxed　conversation。　The　
murmur　of　low；　smooth　voices　was　a　gentle　hum　in　the　air。　As　I　watched；　a　pair　of　pale　women　in　
summer　dresses　paused　in　a　patch　of　light；　and；　like　prisms；　their　skin　threw　the　light　in　rainbow　sparkles　
against　the　sienna　walls。　

The　exquisite　faces　all　turned　toward　our　party　as　we　entered　the　room。　Most　of　the　immortals　were　
dressed　in　inconspicuous　pants　and　shirts—things　that　wouldn't　stick　out　at　all　on　the　streets　below。　But　
the　man　who　spoke　first　wore　one　of　the　long　robes。　It　was　pitchblack；　and　brushed　against　the　floor。　
For　a　moment；　I　thought　his　long；　jetblack　hair　was　the　hood　of　his　cloak。　

〃Jane；　dear　one；　you've　returned！〃　he　cried　in　evident　delight。　His　voice　was　just　a　soft　sighing。　

He　drifted　forward；　and　the　movement　flowed　with　such　surreal　grace　that　I　gawked；　my　mouth　hangmg　
open。　Even　Alice；　whose　every　motion　looked　like　dancing；　could　not　pare。　

I　was　only　more　astonished　as　he　floated　closer　and　I　could　see　his　face。　It　was　not　like　the　unnaturally　
attractive　faces　that　surrounded　him　（for　he　did　not　approach　us　alone；　the　entire　group　converged　
around　him；　some　following；　and　some　walking　ahead　of　him　with　the　alert　manner　of　bodyguards）。　I　
couldn't　decide　if　his　face　was　beautiful　or　not。　I　suppose　the　features　were　perfect。　But　he　was　as　
different　from　the　vampires　beside　him　as　they　were　from　me。　His　skin　was　translucently　white；　like　
onionskin；　and　it　looked　just　as　delicate—it　stood　in　shocking　contrast　to　the　long　black　hair　that　framed　
his　face。　I　felt　a　strange；　horrifying　urge　to　touch　his　cheek；　to　see　if　it　was　softer　than　Edward's　or　
Alice's；　or　if　it　was　powdery；　like　chalk。　His　eyes　were　red；　the　same　as　the　others　around　him；　but　the　
color　was　clouded；　milky；　I　wondered　if　his　vision　was　affected　by　the　haze。　

He　glided　to　Jane；　took　her　face　in　his　papery　hands；　kissed　her　lightly　on　her　full　lips；　and　then　floated　
back　a　step。　

〃Yes；　Master。〃　Jane　smiled；　the　expression　made　her　look　like　an　angelic　child。　〃I　brought　him　back　alive；　
just　as　you　wished。〃　

〃Ah；　Jane。〃　He　smiled；　too。　〃You　are　such　a　fort　to　me。〃　

He　turned　his　misty　eyes　toward　us；　and　the　smile　brightened—became　ecstatic。　

〃And　Alice　and　Bella；　too！〃　he　rejoiced；　clapping　his　thin　hands　together。　〃This　is　a　happy　surprise！　
Wonderful！〃　

I　stared　in　shock　as　he　called　our　names　informally；　as　if　we　were　old　friends　dropping　in　for　an　
unexpected　visit。　

He　turned　to　our　hulking　escort。　〃Felix；　be　a　dear　and　tell　my　brothers　about　our　pany。　I'm　sure　they　
wouldn't　want　to　miss　this。〃　

〃Yes；　Master。〃　Felix　nodded　and　disappeared　back　the　way　we　had　e。　

〃You　see；　Edward？〃　The　strange　vampire　turned　and　smiled　at　Edward　like　a　fond　but　scolding　
grandfather。　〃What　did　I　tell　you？　Aren't　you　glad　that　I　didn't　give　you　what　you　wanted　yesterday？〃　

〃Yes；　Aro；　I　am；〃　he　agreed；　tightening　his　arm　around　my　waist。　

〃I　love　a　happy　ending。〃　Aro　sighed。　〃They　are　so　rare。　But　I　want　the　whole　story。　How　did　this　
happen？　Alice？〃　He　turned　to　gaze　at　Alice　with　curious；　misty　eyes。　〃Your　brother　seemed　to　think　you　
infallible；　but　apparently　there　was　some　mistake。〃　

〃Oh；　I'm　far　from　infallible。〃　She　flashed　a　dazzling　smile。　She　looked　perfectly　at　ease；　except　that　her　
hands　were　balled　into　tight　little　fists。　〃As　you　can　see　today；　I　cause　problems　as　often　as　I　cure　them。〃　

〃You're　too　modest；〃　Aro　chided。　〃I've　seen　some　of　your　more　amazing　exploits；　and　I　must　admit　I've　
never　observed　anything　like　your　talent。　Wonderful！〃　

Alice　flickered　a　glance　at　Edward。　Aro　did　not　miss　it。　

〃I'm　sorry；　we　haven't　been　introduced　properly　at　all；　have　we？　It's　just　that　I　feel　like　I　know　you　
already；　and　I　tend　get　ahead　of　myself。　Your　brother　introduced　us　yesterday；　in　a　peculiar　way。　You　
see；　I　share　some　of　your　brother's　talent；　only　I　am　limited　in　a　way　that　he　is　not。〃　Aro　shook　his　head；　
his　tone　was　envious。　

〃And　also　exponentially　more　powerful；〃　Edward　added　dryly。　He　looked　at　Alice　as　he　swiftly　
explained。　〃Aro　needs　physical　contact　to　hear　your　thoughts；　but　he　hears　much　more　than　I　do。　You　
know　I　can　only　hear　what's　passing　through　your　head　in　the　moment。　Aro　hears　every　thought　your　
mind　has　ever　had。〃　

Alice　raised　her　delicate　eyebrows；　and　Edward　inclined　his　head。　

Aro　didn't　miss　that　either。　

〃But　to　be　able　to　hear　from　a　distance…〃　Aro　sighed；　gesturing　toward　the　two　of　them；　and　the　
exchange　that　had　just　taken　place。　〃That　would　be　so　convenient。〃　

Aro　looked　over　our　shoulders。　All　the　other　heads　turned　in　the　same　direction；　including　Jane；　Alec；　
and　Demetri；　who　stood　silently　beside　us。　

I　was　the　slowest　to　turn。　Felix　was　back；　and　behind　him　floated　two　more　blackrobed　men。　Both　
looked　very　much　like　Aro；　one　even　had　the　same　flowing　black　hair。　The　other　had　a　shock　of　
snowwhite　hair—the　same　shade　as　his　face—that　brushed　against　his　shoulders。　Their　faces　had　
identical；　paperthin　skin。　

The　trio　from　Carlisle's　painting　was　plete；　unchanged　by　the　last　three　hundred　years　since　it　was　
painted。　

〃Marcus；　Caius；　look！〃　Aro　crooned。　〃Bella　is　alive　after　all