The Twilight Saga 2: New Moon Chapter 18 THE FUNERAL

I SPRINTED DOWN THE STAIRS AND THREW THE DOOR open.It was Jacob, of course. Even blind, Alice wasnt slow.He was standing approximately six feet back from the opening, his thump wrinkle in distaste, except his lawsuit otherwise smoothmask the equivalent. He didnt adopt me I could lift up the faint trembling of his pass ons.Hostility turn off of him in waves. It brought back that horrendous afternoon when hed chosen Sam over me, and I felt my chin jerk up defensively in response.Jacobs Rabbit idled by the curb with Jared behind the wheel and Embry in the passenger seat. I mum what this meant they were afraid to let him come here al ane. It make me sad, and a little annoyed. The Cullens werent like that.Hey, I at ultimately said when he didnt speak.Jake pursed his lips, silent hanging back from the admittance. His eye flickered across the front of the house.I motive my teeth. Shes non here. Do you film something?He hesitated. Youre alone?Yes. I sighed.Can I talk to y ou a minute?Of course you can, Jacob. Come on in.Jacob glanced over his shoulder at his friends in the car. I maxim Embry shake his creative thinker full a tiny bit. For some fence, this bugged me to no end.My teeth seize together once again. Chicken I mumbled under my breath.Jakes eyeball flashed back to me, his thick, black brows pushing into a trigger-happy angle over his deep-set eye. His jaw set, and he marchedthere was no other air to describe the way he movedup the sidewalk and shrugged previous(prenominal) me into the house.I locked gazes with first Jared and then EmbryI didnt like the profound way they look me did they really think I would let eachthing impairment Jacob sooner I shut the door on them.Jacob was in the hall behind me, staring at the mess of blankets in the living means.Slumber party? he asked, his tone sarcastic.Yeah, I answered with the same level of acid. I didnt like Jacob when he acted this way. Whats it to you?He wrinkled his nose again l ike he smelled something unpleasant. Wheres your friend? I could hear the quotation marks in his tone.She had some errands to run. Look, Jacob, what do you involve?Something ab divulge the room seemed to make him edgierhis long legs were quivering. He didnt answer my question. Instead he moved on to the kitchen, his restless eyes darting eitherwhere.I followed him. He paced back and forth along the ill-considered prognosticate.Hey, I said, chuckting myself in his way. He stopped pacing and stared down at me. Whats your problem?I dont like having to be here.That stung. I winced, and his eyes tightened. so Im sorry you had to come, I muttered. wherefore dont you tell me what you need so you can die?I scarce bind to ask you a couple of questions. It shouldnt transmit long. We have to get back for the funeral.Okay. conduct it over with then. I was probably overdoing it with the antagonism, scarcely I didnt want him to see how lots this hurt. I knew I wasnt being fair. After all, Id picked the bloodsucker over him ending night. Id hurt him first.He took a deep breath, and his trembling fingers were utterly still. His memorial tablet smoothed into a serene mask. whizz of the Cullens is staying here with you, he stated.Yes. Alice Cullen.He nodded thoughtfully. How long is she here for?As long as she wants to be. The belligerence was still there in my tone. Its an open invitation.Do you think you could please explain to her about the other oneVictoria?I paled. I told her about that.He nodded. You should k direct that we can moreover watch our own lands with a Cullen here. Youll only be safe in La Push. I cant protect you here eithermore.Okay, I said in a small articulate.He looked away then, out the back windows. He didnt continue.Is that all?He unbroken his eyes on the glass as he answered. Just one more thing.I waited, but he didnt continue. Yes? I finally prompted.Are the rest of them overture back at a time? he asked in a cool, quiet voice. I t re promontoryed me of Sams always calm manner. Jacob was becoming more like Sam I wondered wherefore that bothered me so a lot.Now I didnt speak. He looked back at my strikingness with probing eyes. rise up? he asked. He struggled to conceal the tension behind his serene expression.No. I said finally. Grudgingly. They arent coming back.His expression didnt change. Okay. Thats all.I glared at him, annoyance rekindled. Well, run along now. Go tell Sam that the scarey monsters arent coming to get you.Okay, he repeated, still calm.That seemed to be it. Jacob walked swiftly from the kitchen. I waited to hear the front door open, but I heard nonhing. I could hear the clock over the stove ticking, and I marveled again at how quiet hed become.What a disaster. How could I have alienated him so completely in such a short amount of clipping?Would he forgive me when Alice was gone? What if he didnt?I slumped against the counter and buried my boldness in my founders. How had I made su ch a mess of everything? But what could I have done differently? Even in hindsight, I couldnt think of any anticipateter way, any perfect course of action.Bella ? Jacob asked in a troubled voice.I splited my face out of my hands to see Jacob hesitating in the kitchen doorway he hadnt left when Id thought. It was only when I saw the clear drops reflect in my hands that I realized I was crying.Jacobs calm expression was gone his face was sickish and unsure. He walked quickly back to stand in front of me, ducking his degree so that his eyes were closer to being on the same level with mine.Did it again, didnt I?Did what? I asked, my voice cracking.Broke my promise. Sorry.Sokay, I mumbled. I started it this time.His face twisted. I knew how you felt about them. It shouldnt have taken me by surprise like that.I could see the revulsion in his eyes. I wanted to explain to him what Alice was really like, to defend her against the judgments hed made, but something warned me that now was non the time.So I just said, Sorry, again.Lets non worry about it, okay? Shes just visiting, right? Shell leave, and things impart go back to normal.Cant I be friends with you both at the same time? I asked, my voice not hiding an ounce of the hurt I felt.He shook his head slowly. No, I dont think you can.I sniffed and stared at his big feet. But youll wait, right? Youll still be my friend, compensate out though I love Alice, too?I didnt look up, afraid to see what hed think of that last part. It took him a minute to answer, so I was probably right not to look.Yeah, Ill always be your friend, he said encrustedly. No number what you love.Promise?Promise.I felt his arms wind slightly me, and I leaned against his chest, still sniffling. This sucks.Yeah. Then he sniffed my hair and said, Ew.What? I demanded. I looked up to see that his nose was wrinkled again. why does everyone keep doing that to me? I dont smellHe smiled a little. Yes, you doyou smell like them. Blech. Too swee tsickly sweet. And icy. It ruin my nose.Really? That was strange. Alice smelled unbelievably wonderful. To a compassionate, anyway. But why would Alice think I smelled, too, then?That wiped his smile away. Huh. peradventure I dont smell so good to her, either. Huh.Well, you both smell fine to me. I rested my head against him again. I was departure to miss him terribly when he walked out my door. It was a nasty catch-22on the one hand, I wanted Alice to stay forever. I was going to diemetaphoricallywhen she left me. But how was I supposed to go without seeing Jake for any length of time? What a mess, I thought again.Ill miss you, Jacob whispered, echoing my thoughts. Every minute. I hope she leaves soon.It really doesnt have to be that way, Jake.He sighed. Yes, it really does. Bella. You love her. So Id better not get anywhere near her. Im not sure that Im even-tempered enough to handle that. Sam would be mad if I broke the treaty, andhis voice turned sarcasticyou probably would nt like it too much if I killed your friend.I recoiled from him when he said that, but he only tightened his arms, refusing to let me escape. Theres no loony toons in avoiding the truth. Thats the way things are, Bells.I do not like the way things are.Jacob freed one arm so that he could cup his big dark-brown hand under my chin and make me look at him. Yeah. It was easier when we were both human, wasnt it?I sighed.We stared at each other for a long moment. His hand smoldered against my skin. In my face, I knew there was vigour but wistful sadnessI didnt want to have to aver goodbye now, no matter for how short a time. At first his face reflected mine, but then, as neither of us looked away, his expression changed.He released me, lifting his other hand to brush his fingertips along my cheek, trailing them down to my jaw. I could feel his fingers tremblenot with resentment this time. He pressed his palm against my cheek, so that my face was trapped between his burning hands.Bell a, he whispered.I was frozen.No I hadnt made this decision yet. I didnt know if I could do this, and now I was out of time to think. But I would have been a fool if I thought rejecting him now would have no consequences.I stared back at him. He was not my Jacob, but he could be. His face was familiar and beloved. In so many real ways, I did love him. He was my comfort, my safe harbor. proper(a) now, I could choose to have him belong to me.Alice was back for the moment, but that changed nothing. True love was forever lost. The prince was never coming back to kiss me awake from my enchanted sleep. I was not a princess, after all. So what was the fairy-tale protocol for other kisses? The mundane kind that didnt break any spells?Maybe it would be easylike holding his hand or having his arms around me. Maybe it would feel nice. Maybe it wouldnt feel like a betrayal. Besides, who was I betraying, anyway? Just myself.Keeping his eyes on mine, Jacob began to bend his face toward me. And I was still perfectly undecided.The shrill ring of the phone made us both jump, but it did not break his focus. He took his hand from under my chin and reached over me to grab the receiver, but still held my face securely with the hand against my cheek. His dark eyes did not free mine. I was too muddled to react, even to take service of the distraction.Swan residence, Jacob said, his husky voice low and intense.Someone answered, and Jacob altered in an instant. He straightened up, and his hand dropped from my face. His eyes went flat, his face blank, and I would have bet the measly remainder of my college f and that it was Alice.I recovered myself and held out my hand for the phone. Jacob ignored me.Hes not here, Jacob said, and the spoken language were menacing.There was some very short reply, a betoken for more information it seemed, because he added unwillingly, Hes at the funeral.Then Jacob hung up the phone. Filthy bloodsucker, he muttered under his breath. The face he turned back to me was the bitter mask again.Who did you just hang up on? I gasped, infuriated. In my house, and on my phone?Easy He hung up on meHe? Who was it?He sneered the title. Dr. Carlisle Cullen.Why didnt you let me talk to him?He didnt ask for you, Jacob said coldly. His face was smooth, expressionless, but his hands shook. He asked where Charlie was and I told him. I dont think I broke any rules of etiquette.You listen to me, Jacob BlackBut he apparently wasnt listening. He looked quickly over his shoulder, as if someone had called his name from the other room. His eyes went wide and his eubstance stiff, then he started trembling. I listened too, automatically, but heard nothing.Bye, Bells, he spit out, and wheeled toward the front door.I ran after him. What is it?And then I ran into him, as he rocked back on his heels, cussing under his breath. He spun around again, knocking me sideways. I bobbled and fell to the floor, my legs tangled with his.Shoot, ow I protested as he hur ryly jerked his legs free one at a time.I struggled to pull myself up as he darted for the back door he suddenly froze again.Alice stood motionless at the foot of the stairs.Bella, she choked.I scrambled to my feet and lurched to her side. Her eyes were dazed and utmost away, her face drawn and whiter than bone. Her slim body trembled to an inner turmoil.Alice, whats wrong? I cried. I put my hands on her face, trying to calm her.Her eyes focused on mine abruptly, wide with pain.Edward, was all she whispered.My body reacted speedy than my mind was able to catch up with the implications of her reply. I didnt at first understand why the room was spinning or where the hollow roar in my ears was coming from. My mind labored, unable to make understanding of Alices bleak face and how it could possibly relate to Edward, while my body was already swaying, seeking the relief of asphyxia before the reality could hit me.The stairway tilted at the oddest angle.Jacobs furious voice was sudden ly in my ear, hissing out a stream of profanities. I felt a vague disapproval. His new friends were all the way a bad influence.I was on the couch without understanding how I got there, and Jacob was still swearing. It felt like there was an earthquakethe couch was shaking under me.What did you do to her? he demanded.Alice ignored him. Bella? Bella, snap out of it. We have to hurry.Stay back, Jacob warned.Calm down, Jacob Black, Alice ordered. You dont want to do that so close to her.I dont think Ill have any problem keeping my focus, he retorted, but his voice sounded a little cooler.Alice? My voice was weak. What happened? I asked, even though I didnt want to hear.I dont know, she suddenly wailed. What is he thinking?I labored to pull myself up despite the dizziness. I realized it was Jacobs arm I was gripping for balance. He was the one shaking, not the couch.Alice was pulling a small silver phone from her bag when my eyes relocated her. Her fingers dialed the numbers so fast th ey were a blur.Rose, I need to talk to Carlisle now. Her voice whipped through the words. Fine, as soon as hes back. No, Ill be on a plane. Look, have you heard anything from Edward?Alice paused now, listening with an expression that grew more appalled every second. Her lip opened into a little O of horror, and the phone shook in her hand.Why? she gasped. Why would you do that, Rosalie?Whatever the answer was, it made her jaw tighten in anger. Her eyes flashed and narrowed.Well, youre wrong on both counts, though, Rosalie, so that would be a problem, dont you think? she asked acidly. Yes, thats right. Shes absolutely fineI was wrong Its a long legend But youre wrong about that part, too, thats why Im calling Yes, thats exactly what I saw.Alices voice was very hard and her lips were pulled back from her teeth. Its a bit late for that, Rose. Save your compunction for someone who believes it. Alice snapped the phone shut with a sharp twist of her fingers.Her eyes were tortured as sh e turned to face me.Alice, I blurted out quickly. I couldnt let her speak yet. I needed a few more seconds before she spoke and her words destroyed what was left of my life. Alice, Carlisle is back, though. He called just beforeShe stared at me blankly. How long ago? she asked in a hollow voice.Half a minute before you showed up.What did he verbalize? She really focused now, postponement for my answer.I didnt talk to him. My eyes flickered to Jacob.Alice turned her penetrating gaze on him. He flinched, but held his office next to me. He sit awkwardly, roughly as if he were trying to shield me with his body.He asked for Charlie, and I told him Charlie wasnt here, Jacob muttered resentfully.Is that everything? Alice demanded, her voice like ice.Then he hung up on me, Jacob spit back. A tremor rolled down his spine, shaking me with it.You told him Charlie was at the funeral, I reminded him.Alice jerked her head back toward me What were his exact words?He said, Hes not here, and whe n Carlisle asked where Charlie was, Jacob said, At the funeral.Alice moaned and sank to her knees.Tell me Alice, I whispered.That wasnt Carlisle on the phone, she said hopelessly.Are you calling me a liar? Jacob baffling from beside me.Alice ignored him, focusing on my bewildered face.It was Edward. The words were just a choked whisper. He thinks youre dead.My mind started to work again. These words werent the ones Id been afraid of, and the relief cleared my head.Rosalie told him I killed myself, didnt she? I said, sighing as I relaxed.Yes, Alice admitted, her eyes flashing hard again.In her defense, she did believe it. They rely on my sight far too much for something that works so imperfectly. But for her to track him down to tell him this Didnt she realize or care ? Her voice faded away in horror.And when Edward called here, he thought Jacob meant my funeral, I realized. It stung to know how close Id been, just inches away from his voice. My nails dug into Jacobs arm, but he did nt flinch.Alice looked at me strangely. Youre not trouble oneself, she whispered.Well, its really rotten timing, but it will all get straightened out. The next time he calls, someone will tell him what really I trailed off. Her gaze strangled the words in my throat.Why was she so panicked? Why was her face gimmick now with pity and horror? What was it she had said to Rosalie on the phone just now? Something about what shed seen and Rosalies remorse Rosalie would never feel remorse for anything that happened to me. But if shed hurt her family, hurt her brotherBella, Alice whispered. Edward wont call again. He believed her.I. Dont. Understand. My mouth framed each word in silence. I couldnt push the air out to actually say the words that would make her explain what that meant.Hes going to Italy.It took the length of one heartbeat for me to comprehend.When Edwards voice came back to me now, it was not the perfect imitation of my delusions. It was just the weak, flat tone of my memori es. But the words alone were enough to atom through my chest and leave it gaping open. Words from a time when I would have bet everything that I owned or could borrow on that fact that he loved me.Well, I wasnt going to live without you, hed said as we watched Romeo and Juliet die, here in this very room. But I wasnt sure how to do it I knew Emmett and Jasper would never help so I was thinking maybe I would go to Italy and do something to provoke the Volturi You dont irritate them. Not unless you want to die.Not unless you want to die.NO The half-shrieked denial was so loud-voiced after the whispered words, it made us all jump. I felt the blood rushing to my face as I realized what shed seen. No No, no, no He cant He cant do thatHe made up his mind as soon as your friend confirmed that it was too late to ease you.But he he left He didnt want me anymore What difference does it make now? He knew I would die sometimeI dont think he ever planned to hold up you by long, Alice said q uietly.How dare he I screamed. I was on my feet now, and Jacob rose uncertainly to put himself between Alice and me again.Oh, get out of the way, Jacob I elbowed my way around his trembling body with desperate impatience. What do we do? I begged Alice. There had to be something. Cant we call him? Can Carlisle?She was shaking her head. That was the first thing I tried. He left his phone in a trash can in Riosomeone answered it she whispered.You said before we had to hurry. Hurry how? Lets do it, whatever it isBella, II dont think I can ask you to She trailed off in indecision.Ask me I commanded.She put her hands on my shoulders, holding me in place, her fingers flexing sporadically to emphasize her words. We may already be too late. I saw him going to the Volturi and asking to die. We both cringed, and my eyes were suddenly blind. I blinked feverishly at the tears. It all depends on what they choose. I cant see that till they make a decision.But if they say no, and they capacityAro is fond of Carlisle, and wouldnt want to offend himEdward has a backup plan. Theyre very protective of their city. If Edward does something to upset the peace, he thinks theyll act to stop him. And hes right. They will.I stared at her with my jaw clenched in frustration. Id heard nothing yet that would explain why we were still standing here.So if they agree to grant his favor, were too late. If they say no, and he comes up with a plan to offend them quickly enough, were too late. If he gives into his more agency tendencies we might have time.Lets goListen, Bella Whether we are in time or not, we will be in the heart of the Volturi city. I will be considered his accomplice if he is successful. You will be a human who not only knows too much, but also smells too good. Theres a very good find out that they will eliminate us allthough in your case itwont be punishment so much as dinnertime.This is whats keeping us here? I asked in disbelief. Ill go alone if youre afraid. I mentally t abulated what bills was left in my account, and wondered if Alice would lend me the rest.Im only afraid of getting you killed.I snorted in disgust. I almost get myself killed on a daily basis Tell me what I need to doYou save up a note to Charlie. Ill call the airlines.Charlie, I gasped.Not that my presence was protecting him, but could I leave him here alone to faceIm not going to let anything happen to Charlie. Jacobs low voice was gruff and angry. Screw the treaty.I glanced up at him, and he scowled at my panicked expression.Hurry, Bella, Alice interrupted urgently.I ran to the kitchen, yanking the trunks open and throwing the contents all over the floor as I searched for a pen. A smooth, brown hand held one out to me.Thanks, I mumbled, pulling the cap off with my teeth. He silently reach me the pad of paper we wrote phone messages on. I tore off the top sheet and threw it over my shoulder.Dad, I wrote. Im with Alice. Edwards in trouble. You can ground me when I get back. I k now its a bad time. So sorry. Love you so much. Bella.Dont go, Jacob whispered. The anger was all gone now that Alice was out of sight.I wasnt about to yearn time arguing with him. Please, please, please take care of Charlie, I said as I hasten back out to the front room. Alice was waiting in the doorway with a bag over her shoulder.Get your walletyoull need ID. Please tell me you have a passport. I dont have time to forge one.I nodded and then raced up the stairs, my knees weak with gratitude that my mother had wanted to marry Phil on a beach in Mexico. Of course, like all her plans, it had fallen through. But not before Id made all the practical arrangements I could for her.I tore through my room. I stuffed my old wallet, a clean T-shirt, and sweatpants into my backpack, and then threw my toothbrush on top. I hurled myself back down the stairs. The sense of deja vu was nearly stifling by this point. At least, unlike the last timewhen Id run away from Forks to escape thirsty vamp ires rather than to find themI wouldnt have to say goodbye to Charlie in person.Jacob and Alice were locked in some kind of confrontation in front of the open door, standing so far apart you wouldnt assume at first that they were having a conversation. Neither one seemed to notice my noisy reappearance.You might control yourself on occasion, but these leeches youre taking her to Jacob was furiously accusing her.Yes. Youre right, dog. Alice was snarling, too. The Volturi are the very essence of our kindtheyrethe reason your hair stands on end when you smell me. They are the substance of your nightmares, the dread behind your instincts. Im not unconscious(predicate) of that.And you take her to them like a bottle of wine for a party he shouted.You think shed be better off if I left her here alone, with Victoria stalking her?We can handle the redhead.Then why is she still hunting?Jacob growled, and a shudder rippled through his torso.Stop that I shouted at them both, wild with impatie nce. Argue when we get back, lets goAlice turned for the car, disappearing in her haste. I hurried after her, pausing automatically to turn and lock the door.Jacob caught my arm with a shivering hand. Please, Bella. Im begging.His dark eyes were sheen with tears. A lump filled my throat.Jake, I have toYou dont, though. You really dont. You could stay here with me. You could stay alive. For Charlie. For me.The engine of Carlisles Mercedes purred the rhythm of the thrumming spiked when Alice revved it impatiently.I shook my head, tears spattering from my eyes with the sharp motion. I pulled my arm free, and he didnt fight me.Dont die, Bella, he choked out. Dont go. Dont.What if I never saw him again?The thought pushed me past the silent tears a sob broke out from my chest. I threw my arms around his stem and hugged for one too-short moment, burying my tear-wet face against his chest. He put his big hand on the back of my hair, as if to hold me there.Bye, Jake. I pulled his hand fro m my hair, and kissed his palm. I couldnt bear to look at his face. Sorry, I whispered.Then I spun and raced for the car. The door on the passenger side was open and waiting. I threw my backpack over the headrest and slid in, slamming the door behind me.Take care of Charlie I turned to shout out the window, but Jacob was nowhere in sight. As Alice stomped on the gas andwith the tires screeching like human screamsspun us around to face the road, I caught sight of a shred of white near the edge of the trees. A piece of a shoe.